APRC candidates nominated

The APRC candidates for the 2012 National Assembly elections slated for March 29, were yesterday nominated at the various IEC Regional head offices across the country.

The APRC candidates, accompanied by their supporters, all had their nominations approved by the country’s electoral body. Meanwhile, according to the IEC schedule, the APRC and GPDP were supposed to go for nominations yesterday, but only the APRC candidates turned up.

Upper River Region

In URR, IEC Regional Office in Basse accepted the nominations of seven APRC candidates from the seven constituencies of the region. The candidates are: Momodou Sellu Bah of Basse; Netty Baldeh of Tumana; Saikou Susso of Kantora; Abdoulie Kanaji Jawla of Sandu; Saidou V Sabally of Wuli East; Kassum Jallow of Wuli West; and Habibou Jawo of Jimara.

The nominations, which were held at the IEC head office along in Basse Mansajang Road, were administered by the regional IEC commissioner for URR, Alieu Moamar Njai, assisted by his regional electoral officer, Lamin Jadama.

Speaking to journalists after the nomination, Netty Baldeh said he is grateful to the Almighty Allah and the president for the trust he had in him, while thanking the people of Tumana for rallying behind him. He promised to bring more development to the area, while predicting a landslide victory.

For his part, Sellu Bah thanked the people of Basse for their support, while also predicting that he will sweep the polls.

Banjul City

In Banjul, the IEC returning officer, Amadou Jobe approved the nomination of all the three APRC candidates for Banjul North, South & Central. The first candidate to be nominated at the IEC Regional office in Banjul was Alhaji Sillah of Banjul North Constituency. He was followed byAbdoulie Saine for Banjul Central Constituency andBaboucarr S. Nyang for Banjul South Constituency.

Speaking to the Daily Observer shortly after their nominations, all the candidates said their priority for Banjul will be to develop its infrastructure noting that the capital city is key in President Jammeh’s development agenda.They all thanked President Jammeh for his support towards the construction of the city’s roads, among others.They also promised to live up to the expectations of Banjulians.

The candidates were accompanied to the nomination venue by the mayor of Banjul, Samba Faal; Alhagie O.B . Conateh; Alhaji Momodou Biri Njie; Yai Compins; party militants, and their family members.

Kanifing Municipality

In the Kanifing Municipality, the chief electoral officer of the IEC, Robert Anthony Secka, who is also the returning office for the area in the 2012 National Assembly Elections, presided over the nominations. Sulayman Joof of Serrekunda West Constituency was the first to be nominated, followed by Sainey Jaiteh of Serrekunda Central; Kalipha Jammeh of Bakau; Haddy Nyang-Jagne of Jeshwang Constituency and Fabakary Tombong Jatta of Serrekunda East.

Speaking to journalists shortly after the nomination, Fabakary Tombong Jatta who is vying for his 4th term in the National Assembly, said:“Voters have trust and confidence in me and that is why I am still there.” He added: “If you go outside of this country you see people of old age serving in Parliament.” He finally applauded all his voters and urged them to obey the rules of the campaign and respect the laws of the land.

Haddy Nyang-Jagne of Jeshwang Constituency said she intends to continue the good work she has been doing as a National Assembly member. “I feel privileged and I understand that as a women I am there for all the women,” she remarked. Sainey Jaiteh of Serrekunda Central expressed optimism that he will win the Serrekunda Central seat again.

Kalifa Jammeh, widely called Lifo, of Bakau Constituency, called for unity. He said: “If there is no unity in any community there will be no peace and that is always difficult when people don’t have peace for development.” Jammeh also dismissed claims that Bakau is divided and said that his coming as APRC candidate since 2002 has brought unity to the town. He pointed out that if people have not come together APRC would not have won in 2002 and 2007 NationalAssembly Elections.

West Coast Region

Nine candidates for the seat of National Assembly under the Alliance for Patriotic Re-orientation and Construction (APRC) flag for the March 29th National Assembly elections, were nominated in the West Coast Region (WCR) at the Region’s Independent Electoral Commission office in Brikama. Out of the nine candidates, four are new while the rest have served previously.

The nominations were presided over by the vice chairman of the IEC, Malleh Sallah, who served as the returning officer of the Brikama administrative area. The nominees are as follows: Matarr Kujabie, Foni Bondali Constituency; Pa Lamin Jatta-Kombo North; Abdou Colley-Kombo South; Alasana Bojang-Kombo East; Ebrima Solo Jammeh-Foni Bintang Karanai; Abdou FHS Jarju-Kombo Central; Bintanding Jarju-Foni Berefet; Borry LSB Colley-Foni Jarrol; and Buba A Bojang- Foni Kansala.

Speaking to journalists after his nomination, Matarr Kujabie-Foni Bondali Constituency, the first candidate to be nominated in the region who is vying for a second term thanked all the people of his constituency for supporting him and trusting him to represent them in the National Assembly.

For his part, Pa Lamin Jatta, a former revenue collector with the Brikama Area Council, who hails from Busumbala Village and vying for the National Assembly seat for first time for Kombo North said if elected, he will work hard for his people. He was optimistic of victory come March 29th.

For his part, Alasana Bojang of Kombo East who is also contesting for the position for the first time, also told journalists that he is optimistic of winning the election. Bintanding Jarju of Foni Berefet who is vying for a 3rd term in the National Assembly, told waiting journalists that the people of her constituency are well aware of the developments that have been registered in her constituency, saying that was why they wanted her to come back for another term. She expressed confidence that she will emerge victorious come March 29th.

Lower River Region

The IEC Administrative office in Mansakonko in Jarra West District of the Lower River Region on Thursday duly confirmed the nomination of six APRC candidates to contest in the forthcoming National Assembly elections to be held on March 29, 2012. The six APRC nominees are; Yaya Dibba, Kiang West; Lamin Hydara, Jarra Central; Bubacarr S. Fadera, Kiang Central; Njie Darboe, Jarra West; Bora Mass, Kiang East; and Bafaye Saidykhan of Jarra East.

Speaking to reporters, the APRC candidate for Kiang West, Yaya Dibba, a native of Jali Village, said he is confident he will win the election in his constituency, as he has the backing of the people. “The Kiang West seat is already mine as you can see the crowd behind me as well as the calibre of people that accompanied me to the nomination house. I have been a supporter of the APRC party since the advent of the July 22 revolution. The entire APRC party chaired by His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya Jammeh has also backed and approved my candidature for the Kiang West seat,” he remarked.

Bubacarr S. Fadera, a former chief inspector of theGambia Immigration Department and a native of Kiang Nema, said victory for him is a forgone conclusion.

North Bank Region

Seven candidates were nominated under the APRC ticket in NBR, at the IEC Regional office in Kerewan on Thursday.

The nominated candidates are: Abdoulie Suku Singhateh of Lower Baddibu; Lamin K Jammeh of Illiassa Constituency; Mam Cherno Jallow of Upper Niumi; Samba Cham of Central Baddibu; Amadou Khan of Jokadu; Sheriff Misba Hydara of Lower Niumi; and Ousman Bah of Sabach Sanjal Constituency. Their nominations were presided over by the IEC returning officer in Kerewan, Isatou Jallow-Ndure.

Speaking to journalists shortly after his nomination, Samba Cham, a native of Chamen and a teacher by profession, said he is optimistic of victory. He also spoke at length on his plans for his constituency and called on all to support him.

For his part, Amadou Khan, a native of Kuntaya and an accountant by profession, who is also a former NAM (2002-2007), said he is looking for another chance. He told reporters that his people still have confidence and trust in him and will surely vote him into office.

Central River Region

Eleven candidates were duly nominated with most of them vying for their second term in office. The nominations were witnessed by the Attorney General and minister of Justice, Lamin Jobarteh, and the regional governor, Alhaji Ganyie Touray.

The first candidate to be nominated was Foday Jibani Manka of Janjangbureh Constituency who is vying for his second term in office. The second person to be nominated was Ousman Njie of Sami Constituency, who is contesting a National Assembly seat for the first time. It would be recalled that the Sami seat was won by the UDP in 2007.

Other nominees are Kebba B Nget, a former NAMof Niamina Dankunku from 2002-2007;Yerro MC Mballow of Lower Fulladu; Habsana Jallow, the only female candidate in the region, representing Nianija Constituency; Ahmad Malick Njie of Upper Fulladu; Pa Malick Ceesay of Lower Saloum; Sainey Mbye of Upper Saloum; Foday A Jallow of Niamina East; Lamin Jadama of Niamina West; and Ebrima Manneh of Niani.

The IEC returning officer for 2012 National Assembly election in Janjangbureh, Pa Makang Khan said the nomination process was conducted smoothly. He also noted that all the 11 candidates for the APRC were duly nominated.