Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, THE GAMBIA) – Coalition 2026 has rejected concerns that the government’s White Paper on the Local Government Commission of Inquiry could prevent its presidential candidate, Talib Ahmed Bensouda, from contesting the December 5 presidential election.
In a statement issued on Friday, the coalition said the Commission of Inquiry had not banned Bensouda from contesting the election and argued that the government’s White Paper could not, by itself, bar him from the presidential race.
The statement comes hours after the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) published its presidential election nomination calendar and the government released its response to the Local Government Commission of Inquiry report.
Bensouda, who is also the leader of UNITE and Mayor of Kanifing Municipal Council, was among the officials facing adverse findings and recommendations from the commission.
Coalition 2026 said the timing of the White Paper had caused concern among its supporters but described the government’s move as a “weak, last-minute political maneuver” intended to create uncertainty ahead of the nomination period.
“Let it be clear: The Commission of Inquiry has not banned Talib Ahmed Bensouda from contesting the presidential election,” the coalition said.
It maintained that Bensouda’s nomination would proceed as scheduled, announcing that he would appear before the IEC on November 7.
The coalition also called on supporters from across the country to mobilize peacefully and accompany Bensouda to the nomination.
The statement accused President Adama Barrow’s National People’s Party government of being “desperate and afraid” because, it claimed, it would lose the December election.
Coalition 2026 said its campaign activities would continue with “even more momentum” and urged supporters to remain confident and united.
“The law shall prevail. The people shall be heard. Democracy must proceed,” the statement said.
The government’s White Paper has nevertheless raised fresh questions over the political implications of the commission’s findings against Bensouda, particularly as the country enters the formal nomination period for the presidential election.
The IEC has scheduled presidential nominations for November 3 to 14, ahead of the December 5 vote.
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