GAMBIA DECIDES: 6 CANDIDATES JOSTLE FOR PRESIDENCY; UDP’S OUISANOU DARBOE MAY UNSEAT INCUMBENT ADAMA BARROW
By Yomi Oyelami, Trek Africa Newspaper
L-R: Incumbent President, Gambia, Adama Barrow of National People’s Party (NPP); main opposition contender Lawyer Ousainou Darboe of United Democratic Party (UDP); Hon. Halifa Sallah of People’s Democratic Organisation for Independence and Socialism (PDOIS); Mama Kandeh of Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC).
Today 4th December 2021 is decision time for the people of The Gambia. After months of electioneering campaigns and other buildup to the presidential election, it is down to D-Day. The people are expected to troop out in their numbers to decide who will pilot the affairs of the West African country for the next five years.
The tug of war exists among six candidates. This comprises 5 party flagbearers and one independent candidate. They are the incumbent President Adama Barrow of National People’s Party (NPP), main opposition contender Lawyer Ousainou Darboe of United Democratic Party (UDP), Hon. Halifa Sallah of People’s Democratic Organisation for Independence and Socialism (PDOIS), Abdulie Jammeh of National Unity Party (NUP), and Mama Kandeh of Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC). The sole independent candidate is Essa Faal.
Speaking on the preparedness of the electoral umpire and security agencies in ‘The Smiling Coast of Africa’, Mr. Ahmad Ceesay told Abayomi Oyelami in a virtual chat on Tuesday 30th November, ‘The men and women in uniform have been awesome since the beginning of the campaigns and they have attracted praises from the opposition parties. Last week the party leader and flag bearer of UDP praised the security for their professionalism. We are very hopeful it will continue.’
Abdulie Jammeh of National Unity Party (NUP)
‘For the Electoral Commission, things have been tough for them. They have rejected the application of 15 candidates including political parties and independent candidates. 2 of the rejected parties have taken the matter to high court and there was a ruling on their favour but the IEC is not backing down as they have filed an appeal against High Court ruling according to a release by the Electoral Commission. They are moving according to plan’, the young Gambian said on #Reminisense the #TweetChat series.
On the towering role of Gambian youths leading to the elections, Mr. Ceesay noted: ‘It’s the youths who have been at the forefront campaigning for UDP and selling the 5 Point Agenda. The 5 Point continues to convince the youth as it seeks to address youth unemployment, skills development, health, agriculture and food security, etc. The 5 point agenda is a household name in The Gambia.’
Essa Faal
‘Throughout the campaign, our message to the youths is to make sure they vote for UDP. The ambiance, big crowd won’t have any benefit if they fail to vote. This has been the message’, he urged the youths to participate in the election proper today.
