Mayor Talib Ahmed Withdraws from UDP Presidential Race, Resigns as National Organizing Secretary
Talib Ahmed Ben Souda, the Mayor of Kanifing Municipality, has officially withdrawn his candidacy for the United Democratic Party’s (UDP) 2026 presidential flagbearership and resigned as the party’s National Organizing Secretary.
Speaking directly to his supporters in a broadcast message on Saturday, September 6, 2025, Ben Souda said his decision followed a prior commitment he made to His Excellency Ousmane Dabo, a frontline contender for the party’s ticket.
“I had earlier promised that if Mr. Dabo pursues the UDP flagbearership, I will not challenge him for that same position. Having met with him one-on-one, he has confirmed his intention to lead the party in 2026. Therefore, effective immediately, I have withdrawn my candidacy for the UDP presidential flagbearer,” Ben Souda declared.
The mayor further announced that he would step down as the UDP’s National Organizing Secretary to allow Dabo appoint someone he fully trusts ahead of the 2026 elections.
“Mr. Dabo will need an Organizing Secretary who he will trust, an Organizing Secretary who can deliver as to his expectation. Effective immediately, I have resigned as the National Organizing Secretary of the UDP,” he said.
While assuring his supporters of his unwavering commitment to national development, Ben Souda warned against toxic political practices. He called on Gambians to embrace politics of unity and progress rather than insults and division.
“Politics is not a game of insults, is not a game of division, is not a game of personal attacks or defamatory comments. Politics is about national development and fostering community unity,” he urged.
Ben Souda, widely regarded as one of the UDP’s rising stars, acknowledged that his decision may disappoint some of his followers but insisted that it was guided by principles and loyalty to prior commitments.
His withdrawal narrows the list of contenders in the UDP flagbearer race, which had 11 aspirants undergoing consensus-building talks. Political analysts say his move is likely to strengthen Dabo’s chances of emerging as the party’s consensus candidate to face President Adama Barrow in the December 2026 general election.
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