Bubacarr Bob Keita has publicly appealed to President Adama Barrow to let go of his third-term ambitions, advising him that leadership is not only about holding on to power but protection of his legacy after the presidency.
The public appeal came after calls against Barrow’s third term bid have already intensified, with the 1997 Constitution of The Gambia giving him an open space to seek another term.
In a message publicly addressed to the Barrow, Keita stated: “Those who surround a president are not always thinking about the president’s legacy; many think first about their own survival. We saw this during the time of former President Yahya Jammeh. The same voices that encouraged him, praised him, and pushed him to hold on to power were the first to distance themselves when he lost. Loyalty disappeared overnight.”
Bubacarr Keita warned against overreliance on advisers as they would not hesitate to move on and protect themselves when power fades away.
”Mr. President, the truth is simple: advisers come and go, but history remains. The people advising you today will protect themselves tomorrow. When power shifts, many will move on without hesitation.”