The Office of the President has said that in a bid to cleanse the ruling APRC party of “sheep in wolves clothing”, and those whose actions are detrimental to the interest and advancement of the APRC, the following individuals have also been expelled from the party with effect from today Monday 12th March 2012.
They include Aji Louise Jobe, Alhagie Abdou Jallow, Aji Kendaka Ceesay, Manu Kumba Williams, Sheikh Cham,
In another dramatic move, the Office of the President said that voting for any independent APRC candidate in the forthcoming National Assembly elections is the same as voting for the opposition.
In a statement issued yesterday, the Office of the President said those who do so will be cause great disappointment to themselves, after having massively voted for President Yahya Jammeh at the recently concluded presidential election.
The statement said following the recently-concluded nominations for the 2012 National Assembly Elections, it has come to the knowledge and understanding of the APRC party leadership that a certain number of candidates from the APRC party have been nominated to contest on an Independent ticket.
This action, it said, violates the APRC party rules and regulations, as there is nothing like Independent APRC party candidates. “You are either an APRC candidate or an opposition,” it said.
The release further stated that the National Party Leader and Secretary General wishes to inform the party supporters and the general public at large, that the following APRC party members contesting as Independent candidates in the upcoming parliamentary elections slated for March 29th, 2012 are hereby expelled from the party with immediate effect.
They are Baboucarr Mbye Manneh – Banjul South, Hadijatou Forbes – Banjul Central, Momodou L Cham – Jeshwang KMC, Abdou Sanneh – Foni Jarrol, Ousman Nyassi – Foni Bondali, Pa Modou Njie - Upper Niumi, Alkali Sallah – Jarra, Kebba Yerro Manneh – Janjangbureh, Omar Thorpe – Lower Fulladu West, Muhammed Tambura – Lower Fulladu West, Muhammed Magassy – Basse, and Demba Sambou - Niani.
It said the Independent Electoral Commission is being notified of this new development, and is requested to de-register or disqualify any independent candidate under the banner of the APRC party.
These candidates, the release added, are barred from using the APRC colour, symbols or materials, or the President’s name anywhere, anytime.
By the same token, the statement went on, the party warns its esteemed loyal members and supporters to desist from associating themselves with these candidates, especially during the campaign period.
The Office of the President said the APRC Regional structures have been requested to monitor the APRC militants who follow and support these independent candidates, and report them to the party secretariat for appropriate action, which may include expulsion.
The release also stated that based on the above, the security forces should arrest and prosecute any independent candidate who uses the APRC colour or symbols or the name of the APRC party during the campaign and election period.
