By Alimatou S Bajinka
The leader of the National People’s Party (NPP) President Adama Barrow told journalists that publicly declaring his assets depends on the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) soon after he submitted his Nomination Form to the Independent Electoral Commission on November 3rd 2021. However, two of his Political Opponents have already declared their assets publicly in United Democratic Party Leader Ousainou Darboe and Citizens Alliance’s Dr Ismaila Ceesay.
Speaking to journalists after his submission President Barrow said that “it’s part of the conditions that you have to fulfil, and I have now declared my assets to IEC and it is left to them to declare it”. On Saturday 6th November 2021 the IEC will be organising public scrutiny for the general public and the media where all the assets of Nominees can be observed and queried.
Speaking to an IEC Official soon after his submission our medium was informed that President Adama Barrow has submitted all his Nomination Documents including his Campaign Schedule in the IEC Format.
Talking about the independence of the IEC, The Gambian President urged the Commission to be fair and independent in their work. “If you are working at the IEC you are a referee and if you are a referee you should be independent, if you are independent it makes the job easy for the players, if you are independent it makes all the parties to accept the final result,” said President Barrow.
Meanwhile, the former Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission Lead Counsel Lawyer Essa Mbaye Faal also submitted his Nomination Form to the Commission before President Barrow earlier that same morning.
When quizzed by Gainako’s Editor about his dual Citizenship of Senegalese-Gambian and his Assets in Senegal Mr Faal responded angrily saying, “it doesn’t matter how much money I have and where it is, it is my personal concern and it’s no business of yours”.
Mr Faal further noted that if the Gambia continues in this direction many other Gambians would invest abroad instead of the Gambia. In his view, that is because The Gambia is listed as the second-worst country to do business.
“Who would want to waste his money here? That is why I want to become a President; I want to change that” said Mr Faal responding to Journalists questions. He declined to respond to questions clarifying his dual citizenship.
On day 6 of the nomination of Presidential aspirants, the NPP, Independent Aspirants Essa Mbye Faal and Sheikh Matarr Nyang submitted their credentials to the IEC. The final day of Nomination will see former coupist Papa Faal, NUP and DP submit the Nomination Forms to the IEC.
