Sheikh Tijan Hydara, of the Gambia Alliance for National Unity (GANU), was the first to arrive, just after 9:40 am. In a black SUV with blacked-out windows. He emerged, dressed in white, chatting with the press and the few members of the public gathered. As with the others, the IEC Chairman welcomed him and invited him to submit his documents.
A bundle of documents was handed over, inspected and, as with Dr Ismaila Ceesay, yesterday, Mr Hydara had not come with the letter from his party sponsoring him as their candidate and two other items. He was instructed to bring these before 4pm on Friday, 5th November. In answer to a question of whether he was in any alliance, his answer was a sharp no! “We never signed an agreement, so there is ‘no divorce’. In response to another question about being ‘abandoned’ by Jammeh, who had instructed APRC to rally behind him them changed, he replied: “My destiny is in the hands of God, not in the hands of Yahya Jammeh.
My priorities are to unite Gambians”. On the How? He says Gambia is deeply divided and so, he will start with his first cabinet, adding “we welcome every tribe in this country. We see ourselves as Gambians. He also explained why he paid with dollars, not dalasis.
Halifa Sallah of PDOIS was next. Arrived accompanied by supporters including some with banners carrying his recent catchphrase of ‘system change’. He was yet another candidate who had one documents missing.
However, on being told they were missing, he sought assurance that no documents were missing according to law, just what was desirable by the electoral commission. He was assured that was the case.
The campaign program is not a legal document required for nomination. It’s just a desire, the IEC officials confirmed. Mr Sallah said this was his ‘last attempt’ to seek the people’s mandate. He also mentioned system change. “Go to many of our villages: No electricity, no water supply. Women producing vegetables without being able to find markets”.
“Entrust us with power and we will deliver what you want. The Central Bank is a ‘national osusu’. A fund at the central bank to fund development. “We are the only party to have explained how to eradicate poverty.” “The Gambian people are liberated, now they have power”. That is what we achieved in 2016.” This is the final battle of ideas!!!
GAP, which had suspended its erstwhile leader, Musa Batchilly, for announcing he was throwing his weight behind President Barrow, had the next candidate, Alieu Sowe. He came with some supporters and presented his envelopes of documents. After this, he clarified that Batchilly was suspended pending impeachment.
He claimed there is ‘foreign interference’ but did not say what that was. Like most candidates, he either evaded or did a poor job of answering the questions put to him. Sowe says he will give ECOWAS 72 hours to leave our country if he wins. On his party’s manifesto, he says: “health, education, agriculture, are our priorities.”
The last candidate on day five was Tamsir Jasseh, an independent. The only aspirant to turn up in a suit and tie, so far. He was also the candidate with the longest list of incomplete documents: He did not file the requisite 5,000 signatures, which he said were in URR.
Also missing was the certificate of character, the declaration of assets, a logo, and the official portrait. As with all others, he was given until Friday to present these items.
Nominations continue on Thursday, when President Barrow will be one of the four expected to file a nomination.
A bundle of documents was handed over, inspected and, as with Dr Ismaila Ceesay, yesterday, Mr Hydara had not come with the letter from his party sponsoring him as their candidate and two other items. He was instructed to bring these before 4pm on Friday, 5th November. In answer to a question of whether he was in any alliance, his answer was a sharp no! “We never signed an agreement, so there is ‘no divorce’. In response to another question about being ‘abandoned’ by Jammeh, who had instructed APRC to rally behind him them changed, he replied: “My destiny is in the hands of God, not in the hands of Yahya Jammeh.
My priorities are to unite Gambians”. On the How? He says Gambia is deeply divided and so, he will start with his first cabinet, adding “we welcome every tribe in this country. We see ourselves as Gambians. He also explained why he paid with dollars, not dalasis.
Halifa Sallah of PDOIS was next. Arrived accompanied by supporters including some with banners carrying his recent catchphrase of ‘system change’. He was yet another candidate who had one documents missing.
However, on being told they were missing, he sought assurance that no documents were missing according to law, just what was desirable by the electoral commission. He was assured that was the case.
The campaign program is not a legal document required for nomination. It’s just a desire, the IEC officials confirmed. Mr Sallah said this was his ‘last attempt’ to seek the people’s mandate. He also mentioned system change. “Go to many of our villages: No electricity, no water supply. Women producing vegetables without being able to find markets”.
“Entrust us with power and we will deliver what you want. The Central Bank is a ‘national osusu’. A fund at the central bank to fund development. “We are the only party to have explained how to eradicate poverty.” “The Gambian people are liberated, now they have power”. That is what we achieved in 2016.” This is the final battle of ideas!!!
GAP, which had suspended its erstwhile leader, Musa Batchilly, for announcing he was throwing his weight behind President Barrow, had the next candidate, Alieu Sowe. He came with some supporters and presented his envelopes of documents. After this, he clarified that Batchilly was suspended pending impeachment.
He claimed there is ‘foreign interference’ but did not say what that was. Like most candidates, he either evaded or did a poor job of answering the questions put to him. Sowe says he will give ECOWAS 72 hours to leave our country if he wins. On his party’s manifesto, he says: “health, education, agriculture, are our priorities.”
The last candidate on day five was Tamsir Jasseh, an independent. The only aspirant to turn up in a suit and tie, so far. He was also the candidate with the longest list of incomplete documents: He did not file the requisite 5,000 signatures, which he said were in URR.
Also missing was the certificate of character, the declaration of assets, a logo, and the official portrait. As with all others, he was given until Friday to present these items.
Nominations continue on Thursday, when President Barrow will be one of the four expected to file a nomination.