By Alhagie Jobe
Adama Barrow, the standard bearer of the coalition of opposition parties in The Gambia has formally tendered his resignation to his party, the United Democratic Party (UDP), to allow him contest as an Independent Candidate heading the coalition in the December polls.
Mr Barrow, formerly the UDP party leader, was elected as the coalition leader on October 3o at a convention held at the Kairbaba Beach Hotel.
In his resignation letter dated November 3, 2016 and addressed to the Deputy Secretary General of the UDP Mariama B Secka, Mr Barrow thanked the party for the support accorded him. The letter reads:
Following my election on the 30th October 2016 as the Standard bearer for the opposition coalition for the 1st December 2016 Presidential election, I wish to inform you that I shall be contesting as an Independent Candidate in the aforementioned election. In the light of the above I do hereby tender my resignation as a member of the United Democratic Party (UDP) and the position that I hold in the party with immediate effect.
On that note, Deputy Secretary General and Deputy Party Leader, allow me to take this opportunity to thank the National Executive Committee members and the entire membership of the party particularly the Party Leader and Secretary General Lawyer Ousainou Darboe for the unflinching support and cooperation you accorded me since the inception of the party.
Whilst wishing you success in your future engagements, may the Almighty Allah continue to guide and protect the party. Thank You!
Meanwhile, Mariam B Secka, Deputy Party leader and Deputy Secretary General, on November 5, 2016, acknowledged receipt and confirmed that the party executive have met and unanimously accepted Mr Barrow’s resignation. The acknowledging letter from Mariam B Secka reads:
I acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated 3rd November 2016, on the above subject, For your information, the Executive has met and unanimously accepted your resignation in the best interest of The Gambia.
In this regard, we thank you so much for the invaluable services you have rendered to the party and the executive committee since 1996. We wish you success in pursuit of your political ambition.
May Almighty Allah guide and protect you during the campaign. Thank you!
Meanwhile, Mr Barrow with the coalition are expected to submit their nomination papers to the electoral commission on Wednesday, November 9th. The Gambia goes to the polls on December 1 with incumbent President Yahya Jammeh seeking for a fifth term.
