Claim: Patriotic Youth for Change (PYFC) reported that the Gambia Action Party (GAP), Golden Lead Empowerment, CAND and Gambia First are among the political parties set to form an alliance with the United Democratic Party (UDP) ahead of the 2026 presidential election.
Verdict: False. Checks by DUBAWA indicate that the Gambia Action Party (GAP) is not part of the coalition agreement between the United Democratic Party (UDP) and its listed allies.
Full Text
On Friday, August 7, 2026, Patriotic Youth for Change (PYFC), an online television platform, published a report claiming that GAP, Golden Lead Empowerment, CAND, and Gambia First were among several political parties expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UDP ahead of the December 2026 presidential election.
According to the media report, the following parties are part of the coalition: Gambia First, CAND, GAP, and PPP, along with two movements, Citizens’ Coalition for Change and Golden Lead Empowerment.
However, the report also lists other political movements, such as CAND, Golden Lead Empowerment, and Gambia First, as part of the coalition.
The claim emerged amid ongoing negotiations among opposition parties and movements seeking to form political alliances ahead of the election to challenge incumbent President Adama Barrow and the ruling National People’s Party (NPP).
Why this matters
With the presidential election approaching, accurate and responsible reporting is essential to maintaining public confidence in the electoral process.
Unverified claims about political alliances can mislead voters, shape political perceptions, and contribute to the spread of misinformation during the election period.
Verification
To verify the claim, DUBAWA reviewed media reports, consulted individuals familiar with the coalition’s discussions, and contacted GAP’s leadership. Read here and here.
GAP leader and flagbearer Musa Ousainou Yali Batchilly categorically denied that his party had agreed with the UDP.
“GAP has not signed any Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), reached any agreement, or entered into any formal alliance with the UDP or any other political party, movement, or coalition in relation to the 2026 presidential election,” Batchilly said.
DUBAWA also contacted coalition mediators and reviewed documents detailing the parties involved in the proposed alliance.
The evidence reviewed did not list GAP, CAND, Gambia First, and Golden Lead Empowerment among the participating parties. The parties and movements identified as part of the proposed alliance are:
- Alliance for Democracy and Development (ADD) – Registered Political Party
- Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) – Political Movement
- Gambia Alliance for National Unity (GANU) – Registered Political Party
- Gambian People’s Advancement Party (GPAP) – Registered Political Party
- Golden Era Party (GEP) – Political Movement
- People’s Progressive Party (PPP) – Registered Political Party
- United Democratic Party (UDP) – Registered Political Party
DUBAWA also reviewed the UDP’s official Facebook platform but found no announcement confirming GAP’s inclusion in the proposed alliance.
Conclusion
Based on the evidence reviewed, DUBAWA finds the claim FALSE. GAP, Gambia First, Golden Lead Empowerment, and CAND are not among the parties identified as participants in the proposed UDP-led coalition, and its leader has explicitly denied that the party has signed an MoU, reached an agreement, or allied with the UDP ahead of the 2026 presidential election.