Africa-Press – Gambia. The stage is set for a crucial flagbearer election within the United Democratic Party (UDP), as neither of the two remaining aspirants—Lawyer Borry Touray and former Finance Minister Amadou Sanneh—has agreed to step aside for party leader and secretary general, ANM Ousainu Darboe.
Sources told that Darboe was not present at the party’s bureau throughout the day, while both Touray and Sanneh remained at the premises as discussions continued. Despite behind-the-scenes efforts by party elders to broker a consensus, both aspirants have signaled their readiness to take their case before the National Executive for a vote.
Under party rules, the final decision on the flagbearer rests with the National Executive, which consists of 65 members. In addition, two representatives—one male and one female—from each of the country’s eight regions (Diaspora is counted as a region) will also take part, bringing the total number of delegates eligible to vote to 81.
As of press time, the situation remained fluid, with negotiations ongoing among senior party figures in an attempt to avoid a divisive contest. However, with both Touray and Sanneh standing firm, indications are that a primary vote to determine the party’s presidential candidate could take place at 11 am at the Manjai Bureau tomorrow.
As matters remain fluid, the outcome of overnight negotiations will determine whether the party avoids a vote or proceeds with what is shaping up to be a closely contested election between Darboe, Sanneh, and Touray.
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