The Presidential Candidate, for the Alliance for National Reorientation and Development (ANRD) party, has said that agriculture, health, education and security will be top of his priority when he becomes President of The Gambia in December 2021.

General Lamin Bojang was speaking exclusively to The Fatu Network immediately after completing his nomination process at Election House.

“Am overwhelmed and am happy, we believe we have fulfilled the requirements and we are not scared. We want to bring sanity into the politics of the Gambia. Agriculture, health, education and security are in the hands of foreigners and our nation’s sovereignty is at stake,” General Lamin Bojang said.

He further noted that the ANRD wishes to change the dynamics and the status quo.

“We lack leadership in the Gambia. We want to replace the poor leadership with a leadership that is responsible and creative,” he said.

He further revealed that the country’s health institutions have collapsed, promising to introduce medical insurance which will seek to help Gambians access good health facilities.

When asked about how he was going to get the resources to achieve all his promises he replied by saying that the Gambia is a sovereign state and people pay takes.

“We are going to get money through agriculture, also all countries have development partners. We shall fight poverty and corruption,” he said.

When asked about a possible coalition he said the ANDR has never wished to form a merger because as presidential candidate for the party he knows he has done something for the country.

Clarifying rumours which suggest he did not submit all his documents General Bojang revealed that he submitted all his documents, but the IEC asked him to bring photocopies instead of originals. That he said he promised to bring (the photocopies) the following day.

General Lamin Bojang attended the Brufut Primary School, where he took the Common Entrance Examination and was admitted at Saint Peter’s High School. He later went on and enlisted into the School of Nursing and Midwifery [Gambia College], at the time that was the highest learning institution in the country.

He graduated as a State Registered Nurse (SRN) and after a few years of practice, I did a higher course in midwifery.

In 1994 he quit the health job and enlisted in the military. In the military, he was the head of the military reception services but at some point, he moved from medical to infantry. He served the army until his retirement in 2012.

The Gambian Rasta Presidential Candidate Bankole Ahadzie popularly known as Banky has officially presented his nomination to the country’s Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).

Speaking shortly to pressmen after his nomination exercise Banky said he had taken a covid-19 test and the results were not out, therefore he could not grant interviews.

“I have taken a COVID-19 test just yesterday and the results are not out. Therefore, I do not want to endanger the lives of members of the public by taking interviews,”

He however promised to take interviews at a later date.

Bankole Yao Jojo Ahadzie (Banky) is a 43-year-old Internet Engineer born in 1977 at Westfield Clinic and lived in the capital city Banjul. He attended Methodist Nursery School, Marina School and then Gambia High in 1994 where he took his O Levels and in 1996 took his A-Levels.

In 2002, he got a scholarship from the MRC to study internet engineering in the UK. He returned home in 2005.

In previous interviews, Banky had called on the Gambian government to move towards legalizing weed as other African nations are already making billions from weed exportation.

“Don’t judge me by my appearance, don’t judge me by my hairstyle, listen to what my manifesto is and how I can change lives when elected.” Banky would usually say

Banky’s vision to run for president is anchored on five cardinal pillars, including free education, one-term presidency, creating jobs with decent salaries, development by us for us, and the empowerment of 1 billion Gambian dalasis ($20million) fund in sports.

A deal signed by chieftains of UDP and GFA says the latter has accepted to desist from sponsoring a candidate to contest the said elections but to instead endorse the candidate sponsored by the UDP.

Party chiefs of the two parties met on Saturday to signed a Memorandum of Understanding.

In the context of the said memorandum, it’s stated Gambia For All would accept to desist from sponsoring a candidate to contest the said elections, but to instead endorse the candidate sponsored by the UDP.

“Within the framework of the stated Memorandum, the UDP and GFA commit to work together and vigorously campaign for the victory of the UDP candidate who, for the purpose of the said election effectively becomes the candidate of both parties. To that end, the parties agree to form a dedicated ad hoc team for coordinating plans and field operations,” the MoU said.

It said elsewhere: “That in the same spirit of the Memorandum, UDP and GFA agree, that in the event of electoral victory, to participate effectively in any government set up which of necessity shall be inclusive, without prejudice to the exercise of the prerogatives accruing by law to the President or other appointing authorities.

“That in the spirit of the MoU, the parties agree to share and respect the fundamental values and principles of generally accepted norms of good governance.

“In line with the strategy of maximising the chances for victory, the two parties agree to maintain an open-door policy for other likeminded parties and other political forces who may wish to collaborate with the two parties as per the provisions of this agreement.”

Aspiring independent candidate for the forthcoming presidential election, Professor Momodou Bah of the African Federalism and Republican Orientation (AFRO) movement; has said that his party chose the colour orange, which represents Vitamin C, because the country is sick.

Professor Momodou Bah was speaking immediately after submitting his nomination to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).

“I have sent all the documents that I have been asked for, what is going to happen depends on them [the IEC] .The people are sick and hungry, so we need to put more money into the economy for the business sector,” Prof Bah said.

He expressed optimism that he has already won the elections and he will be the 4^th President of the Gambia.

“I have done a lot for this country and it is written in a book called the eyewitness,” the 37-year-old Prof noted.

The AFRO Independent Candidate is an English Language teacher born on the 2^nd November1984 in Sinchu Balia, West Coast Region. He attended Sinchu Balia Primary School and later the St. Peters Junior and graduate Nusrat Senior Secondary School in 2006.

Bah, who has a double Master’s degree in African and Post- Colonial Studies said as president his government will relocate the country’s capital city to the central party of the country, specifically between Farafenni and Soma towns to reduce traffic jam in the Greater Banjul Area (GBA) whilst connecting  the new capital city to Dakar, Casamance and Mali.

Commentator Nyang Njie has announced he will be rallying behind United Democratic Party for the December election.

Mr Njie made the announcement today.

He said in a Facebook post: “Watched Lawyer Darboe’s documentary yesterday and it was a masterpiece. He is definitely a selfless human being who gave all for country when it wasn’t fashionable to do so. Henry Gomez stated in one of his comical videos that before you ask, you must give and in the words of Henry he stated in Wollof that “balaa nga partaseh, nga kotisay”. This implies that one must have equity before coming to the table. Well am not in agreement with Henry as public service is not an investment to be recouped hence the mushroomingof POLITICALENTREPRENEURS in our body politics. I can testify to the commitment of Darboe to country as he always rose to the occasion when country needed him. We are a myopic nation where many tend to have selective amnesia. Darboe is not perfect but he has allowed the narrative of detractors to identify who he is. Yes he is not perfect and has committed political errors that could have been avoided. His weakness in my view is his belief that he is not what many portray him to be therefore, he is not going to counter the accusations levelled against him as tribalist. Darboe evolved at an early age as a crusader against injustice and his benevolence was driven by conviction. Many reputable members of society attested to his unwavering quest to intervene at his cost and peril when his fellow compatriots needed his service and financial assistance in his documentary.

“His family suffered heavily for the positions he took when country called. I do hope that my generation can learn from his documentary that sacrificing for country is a moral and civic duty that rest on the conscience of the citizenry. The selfishness of many especially younger Gambians in positions of power and financial means is deafening. Gambia is in the conundrum it finds itself today due to the selfish nature of our giants of industries and self serving middle class who refused to speak truth to power for fear of upsetting the establishment yet still they yearn for change. The winds of change from Independence to date has been bankrolled by the common Gambian yet still it is the business titans and lurking opportunistic middle class who line up to reap the benefits of change. Our public contracts are awarded to those that enabled injustice and people who chose to be indifferent to our past predicament. When the Kalama revolution was in full gear, the peasant and everyday Gambian volunteered their bodies as casualties of the brutal brute whilst most of us idly watched. When the results of the elections were announced, most middle class Gambians were first in line for perks, benefits and jobs. What a sad state of affairs for our country and conscience.

“The December 4th election is not about UDP. It is about the salvation of our Republic, our dignity and purpose as a nation. It must be seen as an opportunity to rid Gambia of an inept President whose desire for self perpetuation and personal gain knows no bound. It should be an election of redeeming our lost transition. Voting for UDP is a vote to give Gambia a chance for a new lease in life. A vote for you UDP may be the only viable option to oust Barrow and his misguided bunch of charlatans who abused our collective resources. Based on the foregoing, I will rally behind UDP as Benny Ebrima Ek-Williamsson stated in an earlier post to give Gambia a chance for redemption. I believe in the Gambia and the words ” by any means necessary” means that NYANG NJIE will do whatever it takes to effect change. What we do with the change once the winds of change blow across our shores is left to us. We can demand and pressure UDP to hit the reset button for a true meaningful transition that will position Gambia once and for all to effect the much needed reforms our country deserve. I will cast my vote to the candidate that I believe has the best chance to uproot the public decadence cultivated by Barrow. This is my realism and it is devoid of emotions and driven by pragmatism and urgency. Great Sunday to all and may the great God of nations see us true in the albatross that choke our necks as a country. I stand by Gambia and her furtherance hence my reason not to vote for Barrow. We all have a choice to make but our choice must be guided by our desire to move on. I remind my fellow middle class citizens that we owe it to Gambia to stop sitting on the fence due to our selfish desire of self preservation and insulation from economic loss. I am proud of Alhagie Conteh of Dabanani for having the courage of conviction to discharge his solemn belief without fear. Our business moguls and influences must rise up and take sides publicly if their citizenship means something to them.

“If not, Nyang Njie will continue to see them as part of the problem and not the solution. The nature of a convenient apologist is deceitful and unconscionable. Stand up and be counted. If the perpetuation of the status quo is what you want, stand and be counted. If you want to upset the status quo, stand and be counted. Playing it safe at the expense of your conscience is not patriotic nor dignified. I want Barrow out of the public space and its a right I want to enforce. Be it known to all that NYANG NJIE is openly advocating for change. Those in positions of public power who want to deny my of economic opportunities that am qualified to execute can do so but I will not waver in my quest for change. For those that share the same dream and choose to be bystanders, I say shame on you and your conscience. Gambia is once again at a crossroad.

“Our actions or lack thereof will determine the trajectory of our nation, our future and fate of generations yet unborn. I choose to be in the path of righteousness and redemption of my dearly beloveth Kambi Bolongho. I have nothing to loose but my nation. Our collective silence and inaction will only entrench graft, corruption, ineptitude in this struggling nation of ours. Food for thought for those that have country at heart. For those without scrupple, conscience, conviction and purpose for country, I say keep on looking for personal gains at the expense of the greater good. Nyang has decided that Barrow is not fit for purpose and use for Gambia. He failed on all the expectations set forth to redeem our nation.”

The alliance between former President Yahya Jammeh’s No Alliance Movement and Gambia Alliance for National Unity is dead in the water.

Former President Jammeh earlier this month asked his supporters to rally behind Sheikh Tijan Hydara and his GANU party following his dismissal of the APRC’s marriage with NPP. Mr Hydara was enjoying the moment and had even declared that he would win the election.

This week however, the alliance between No Alliance Movement and GANU suffered a huge blow after Jammeh’s supporters decided to sign a deal with GDC and chose its leader Mamma Kandeh as their standard-bearer for the December election. Mr Hydara had clearly been double-crossed and it’s now all over for him for this election.

Yahya Tamba, leader of the group told Jammeh’s supporters in an audio message obtained by The Fatu Network: “Strategically, we the selected executive members have made our thorough survey including the big man (Jammeh) on the potentials of GANU with regards to the upcoming elections. GANU party was registered in 2017 barely after the elections. From what we have seen and it’s on evidence, GANU hasn’t even established political outlets across the country which is a prerogative by the electoral laws. That indicates the inclusion of all regions in the political party.

“Even the forms for nomination for GANU, all the forms are given to us the APRC to do the filling for GANU party. GANU party honestly speaking, hasn’t provided in evidence, a structure of executive that we can say this is the full executive of GANU that is to work with APRC to go headway to State House. In many of our executive meetings with GANU, we have it in Sheikh Tijan’s compound where 90% or 97% of attendance is APRC executive.

“I had to caution him, ‘sir, any meeting with we have with you, I collect all my members, all my members are present and only two of your members surface in any of our meeting’. He said they are inexperienced, he asked them to stay away and he alone with his lieutenants will do the meeting. I suspected that GANU has established as a party and wants to rely on APRC to take GANU to State House.

“Realising the potentials and quantity of persons GANU has, definitely we cannot measure our strengths and power with GANU and rely comfortably that GANU will lead us to the State House and enable the big man (Jammeh) come back to The Gambia. It is just going to be a laughing jackass [sic] honestly speaking. That if we rely on GANU alone, there will be no way. We will be shouting and it is going to be disastrous when it comes to election, that we cannot even poll 3 to 4 % or 5% of the elections results.”

The leader of the People’s Alliance Party (PAP) Ebrima Tabora Manneh has said that PAP is ready to take back the country and ensure Gambians benefit from it. Manneh was speaking exclusively to The Fatu Network immediately after completing his nomination process at Election House.

“There is extreme poverty in this country, and we will take ownership of this country. We will live together grow the economy together and prosper together in this country,” Ebrima Tabora Manneh said.

He lamented about the challenges the average Gambian faces including the quality of life, lack of drugs in hospitals, lack of good roads and inadequate pipe born water.

“It is because of these numerous challenges that is why I will contest to make the change Gambians deserve,” Manneh said.

He further stated that they as a party haven’t started yet, when they start, he said there is going to be a tsunami and change will come to the Gambia.

When asked about his history of having the IEC reject the registration of his PAP party for failing to meet some of its standards, he said they have had some hiccups in registering the party, but what happened was an error and he is of the firmest conviction that is served as a learning process for the IEC.

Speaking about a possible alliance he said he cannot rule out a possibility that there may be a coalition

Key among Ebrima Tabora Mannehs campaign message is the call for the increase in the minimum wage to D10,000.

“The amount of money paid to workers is peanuts. They should have a salary minimum of D10,000” he said.

Adding that “we have everything to make this country the best in the world. Why can’t we be like Singapore, it’s possible, they are no more intelligent than us,” he revealed.

Ebrima Tabora Manneh is an independent candidate in the 2021 presidential elections, he is the son of the late popular chief of Niumi, Alhaji Tabora Manneh. He was born in the small village of Buniadu in the Lower Niumi District of North Bank Region. He holds a bachelor’s in accounting and finance

BB Darbo will not be contesting for president in December as his GFA party has agreed with throw its weight behind UDP and its leader Ousainou Darboe.

Party chiefs met at UDP leader Darboe’s office on Saturday evening to put pen to paper regarding a deal that will see the two parties work together. The development could see UDP streamline votes in Kiang.

UDP had on Friday confirmed efforts aimed at collaboration between the two parties. The party said a mutual friend of the two Darboes initiated the talks.

Mathew Gomez has pulled out of the presidential race after coming to Election House with empty hands.

Mr Gomez was the last person to appear before IEC officials but he only came with a letter to give to the officials.

He told officials he was withdrawing is candidature.

Mr Gomez who came alone to Election House refused to speak to reporters.

One of the Independent Candidates in the 2021 presidential race, Mathew Gomez has officially withdrawn his nomination for president.  Not much is known about Mr Gomez except for the fact that he was a former teacher.

He is the first candidate to withdraw from the race. He declined a media interview when asked about the reason why he withdrew his nomination.

So far three candidates have successfully gone through the nomination process.  Joseph Henry Joof, Alhaji Mamadi Kurang and Marie Sock Jobarteh

The process continues tomorrow.

Abubacarr Jeng has collapsed his presidential bid to support President Adama Barrow in the December presidential election.

Mr Jeng was one of many citizens who this year announced taking a shot at the presidency. However, he was at rally in Medina Serign Mass on Wednesday organized by Njogu Bah to drum up support for President Barrow.

He confirmed throwing his weight behind President Barrow to The Fatu Network and said he had a deep discussion with the president.

The Imam-politician said he realized his values and vision fit well into President Barrow’s policies and plans.

Alhaji Mamadi Kurang one of the presidential nominees for the December 2021 elections has said that ‘Democratization of Education is the Solution to the Problems the Gambia’.

The independent candidate was speaking exclusively to The Fatu Network immediately after completing his nomination process at Election House.

Mr Mamadi Kurang revealed he has received over 6000 signatures and has fulfilled all requirements set by the country’s electoral body.

“At the moment we need change, we need someone who understands the political, economic and social issues. I am a problem solver and I understand the economic problems,” Alhaji Mamadi Kurang said.

He further noted that he is tried and tested and will deliver what the society needs.

When asked about what his first 100 days as president (if elected) would be like. He revealed that he will get to work to tackle the issues of poverty and build the educational system.

“Singapore has no gold, no diamonds but they used their human resource through education to transform the country. The young people are yearning for change and they are going to determine the change. I am trusted by the young people and I have been around for the past 20 years,” He said.

He brushed off the question of a possible coalition, emphasising that he has gone through his nomination to contest as a candidate for the presidency.

“We will capacitate people and build the middle level manpower,” Alhaji Mamadi Kurang promised.

Joseph Henry Joof was the first candidate to present his credentials to the IEC Chairman, Alieu Momar Njai and members of his team.

Mr. Joof was born on the 25th of October 1960. He is a Gambian lawyer, politician, and writer. He served as President of the Gambia Bar Association from 1998-2001, and later as Attorney General and Minister of Justice of the Gambia from 2001 to 2003.

It was during his tenure that the infamous Indemnity Act was adopted. The act came after the April 10/11 protests during which students were killed and some seriously injured.

The 2001 Indemnity Act gives the President the power to indemnify any person against prosecution for any act committed to quell an unlawful assembly or other emergency situation. The law shielded security officers who killed innocent students as it deterred victims of human rights violations from seeking redress.

United Democratic Party has said a mutual friend of leader Ousainou Darboe and GFA leader BB Darbo has initiated talks for a ‘possible collaboration’ of the two parties.

Gambians will vote for president in December and parties have been scrambling for coalition with less than five weeks to the election.

Dependable sources told The Fatu Network UDP has reached out to Gambia For All for an alliance but UDP in a statement has said this is inaccurate.

The statement signed by Alhagie S Darboe said: “ The United Democratic Party (UDP) would like to clarify that what has been reflected on the Fatu Network Headlines “The Scramble for Coalition” – UDP Reaches out to GFA for Alliance” is inaccurate.

“For the records, the UDP would like to clarify that a mutual friend of H.E. Ousainu Darboe and H.E. Bakary Bunja Dabo initiated a possible UDP and GFA collaboration.”

Former President Yahya Jammeh’s supporters have signed a deal with Gambia Democratic Congress for a merger for the December election.

Jammeh’s supporters led by Yahya Tamba signed an MoU with Mamma Kandeh at Baobad Hotel in Bijilo late on Friday.

While the alliance is dubbed, GDC-GANU-APRC’, the absence of Sheikh Tijang Hydara at the MoU signing has sparked speculation of GANU relegated to the back.

A source said: “He doesn’t have supporters so he should not expect too much or even think of being the flagbearer.”

Gambia’s only Female Presidential Nominee, Marie Sock Jobarteh has told Gambians that she is running for president to be a voice for every Gambian. She was speaking to the Fatu Network immediately after completing her nomination process at Election House.

“I want to be a voice for every Gambian, it is only us that can make a change for us and our children,” Marie Sock said.

When asked about what inspired her Marie noted that she was inspired by the struggle of her people.

“I was inspired by the struggle of my people. I am a mother, and if this is what I must do to help so be it,” she said.

Ahead of the December 2021 polls the Independent Electoral Commission of The Gambia has today 30th October 2021 started the nomination process for Presidential Candidates.

The requirements for Nomination include: The person must be a Gambian Citizen of at least 30 years old with a minimum educational qualification of Senior Secondary School.

The candidate must have also been resident in the Gambia five years preceding 4th December 2021 and should be nominated by 5000 voters; at least 200 from each region.

The Presidential Candidate must also have sworn asset declaration with a tax clearance certificate and a deposit sum of D10,000. Other requirements include, a symbol, colour and photograph and strict adherence to IEC Code of Campaign Ethics

Today’s nomination schedule features Joseph H. Joof (Independent Candidate), Marie Sock Jobarteh (Independent Candidate), Alhaji Mamadi Kurang (Independent Candidate) and Mathew Gomez (Independent Candidate)

Gambia Democratic Congress leader Mamma Kandeh has been unanimously selected as the standard-bearer of an alliance featuring his GDC, GANU and former President Jammeh’s No Alliance Movement.

This story is developing…