The
independent presidential aspirant, Dr Isatou Touray, has suspended her
presidential election campaign, as she withdraws her candidature for the 1st
December 2016 presidential election in The Gambia.
The
first female to vie for presidency in The Gambia suspended her campaign to
offer “unflinching support and cooperation” to the coalition of seven
opposition political parties, which has elected Adama Barrow as its flagbearer.
The
full text of Dr Touray’s withdrawal statement is published below:
Fellow
Gambians it is with deep sense of patriotism and humility that I wish to hereby
recognise Mr Adama Barrow as the coalition flag bearer. I also hereby
unreservedly endorse his candidature and to congratulate him and the entire
opposition, leaders and delegates for an unprecedented achievement in our
nation’s history.
In
demonstration of my leadership and in vindication of my desire to present
myself as a unifying candidate for the opposition, I hereby acknowledge that
the emergence of a single candidate under the banner of a unified opposition
coalition is dream come true.
Fellow
Gambians I must acknowledge the efforts done by Team Isatou in the Diaspora and
Gambia and all those individuals who have formed a formidable force to bring
the opposition together after 22 years of efforts to remove the Jammeh regime.
Today, I celebrate all those who stood by me to effect the change we desire for
the Gambia. I see nothing but The
Gambia, a Gambia that will thrive on the principles of democracy, human rights
and fundamental freedom. A Gambia, with good and strong institutions, that will
work and thrive on policies and principles of good governance that will benefit
all of us.
In
this vein, I wish to hereby suspend my presidential election campaign and
withdraw my candidature, so as to offer my unflinching support and cooperation
to the coalition in a bid to stir the affairs of this country towards salvation
from tyranny.
I
wish to therefore thank all Gambians and non-Gambians, at home and abroad who
have reposed their confidence and trust in me through various ways including
financial and material donations, contributions of ideas and suggestions,
community mobilization and routine campaign organization. Indeed I have been
humbled and inspired by your support.
I wish to urge all my supporters and indeed
all Gambians to rally behind the candidature of Mr. Adama Barrow and the
opposition to vote for the change we desire on December 1st.
I
equally urge all opposition parties, leaders and supporters, to put any party
affiliations aside for sometimes and focus on unity of purpose and direction to
remove this dictator with an overwhelming victory for the Coalition candidate
come December 1st.
I call on all of us to firmly stand behind
this unity candidate under this coalition and seek the transformation of our
country with a deep sense of urgency and love for the country.
My
desire to step up and enter the political arena has never been for selfish
interests, or material gain, but driven by a strong sense of patriotism and
historic duty as a mother, a woman, a worker, human rights activist and above
all a citizen who has witnessed the untold misery and deprivation that our people
have been subjected to over the past 22 years.
I wish to thank the Almighty Allah for giving
me the life, courage and means to have taken the mantle of service for my
people this far.
I wish to pray to God to continue to guide and
protect the Gambia and particularly to guide us all through this most difficult
task of rescuing the country from uncertainty and hardships.
I
wish Adama Barrow and my fellow coalition opposition leaders the best in this
most important election of our lifetime so that we can emerge victorious and
restore democracy. I wish Gambians and
the Gambia, our dear motherland peace and stability, by the Grace of Almighty
God. God Bless The Gambia.
In
the Service of The Gambia I remain,
Yours
Sincerely,
Dr.
Isatou Touray
November
7, 2016