President Adama Barrow accused opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) leader Ousainu Darboe of "acting a drama" regarding recent electricity outages during a rally in Brikama on Saturday. Barrow made the comments while defending his government's record on energy provision, directly responding to criticism from Darboe. The President's remarks showed the growing political tension surrounding the nation's infrastructure challenges.
During the rally, President Barrow stated, "Even human beings can have a break down as it happened to 'my father' during the last presidential campaign when he broke down and had to be taken to a repair garage where he stayed until after the elections." This thinly veiled reference to Darboe's reported hip injury during the previous presidential campaign was a key part of Barrow's address. The President's remarks were made in direct response to criticism from Darboe concerning power supply issues in The Gambia, indicating a highly personal dimension to the political debate.
Government Defends Power Provision
President Adama Barrow rejected claims that his government had neglected the electricity sector, asserting that such accusations were unfounded. He attributed the ongoing power problems not to governmental oversight but to machine breakdowns within the generation infrastructure. Barrow specifically blamed the power problem on machine breakdowns, emphasizing that the issues were technical rather than a result of policy failures.
Barrow’s defense came amid public criticism, with the President stating that his administration was actively working to address the challenges. He emphasized that the issues were operational rather than a result of dereliction. The President maintained that the government remained committed to improving the country's energy supply, despite the current technical difficulties leading to outages. He further stressed that his administration was dedicating significant resources and effort to resolve the mechanical issues plaguing the national grid.
Opposition's Response and Election Tactics
UDP leader Ousainu Darboe had previously appeared in a video that noted the country's power crisis. The video showed Darboe navigating a dark room with a flashlight, explicitly drawing attention to the electricity outages affecting The Gambia. This visual depiction served as a public critique of the government's handling of the energy sector, directly challenging Barrow's narrative. Darboe's video sought to show the daily challenges faced by citizens due to intermittent power supply, effectively framing the issue as a significant concern for the opposition and a failure of the current administration. The video contributed to the broader public discourse surrounding the nation's infrastructure and the administration's performance, adding a visual element to the political debate.
Barrow's Personal Attacks
President Adama Barrow, in remarks perceived as personal attacks, teased opposition leader Ousainu Darboe regarding a reported hip injury sustained during the last presidential campaign. Barrow referenced Darboe's injury as a "break down," stating that he "had to be taken to a repair garage where he stayed until after the elections." These comments were made during a rally in Brikama, where Barrow was defending his government's record on energy provision amidst criticism from Darboe concerning power supply issues in The Gambia. The President's statements have drawn attention to the increasingly personal nature of political discourse between the two figures, noting a contentious relationship.
Political Future and Development Promises
President Adama Barrow accused the opposition of weaponizing the recent power outages ahead of the December 5, 2026 election. Barrow claimed these issues were being exploited for political gain, suggesting that the UDP was capitalizing on public inconvenience. He further stated that continuity under the National People’s Party would guarantee more development across the country. The President emphasized his administration's commitment to progress, suggesting that stability under his party was essential for future growth and infrastructure improvements, including a lasting solution to the energy challenges.
