By Landing Ceesay
Two candidates of Alliance for Patriotic, Re-orientation and Construction (APRC) for the Kanifing Municipality (KM) submitted their credentials to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) office in the region.
Under the party ticket, Sulayman Jammeh, would contest for the Bundungka Kunda Constituency and Sheriff Sarr for the Jeswang Constituency in the Kanifing Municipality (KM) in the April 9 parliamentary election.
Shortly after submitting his credentials, Sulayman Jammeh expressed to the waiting journalists his optimism of victory, come April 9.
“I am from Bundung, I was born and brought up in Bundung, and I did a lot of things for Bundung, and the purpose of being a politician is to deliver and we have delivered. The people need someone who can deliver and already we did it. I am hopeful that the amount of effort and the number of success stories that we heard in Bundung, I’m hopeful that they will vote for me.
“I have never lost an election and I don’t think I am a loser. In 2013 which was my first time contesting in an election I got 50% of the votes (Local Government elections), and my second time of contesting in the election in 2017 I didn’t even organize a single rally and I got 51% of the votes. At that time, we just lost our first election as APRC party in 2016. But with all that, we were able to emerge victorious. This time around I want to have at least 90% of the votes,” Jammeh told the Journalists.
Jammeh, who served two terms as a ward councillor for Bundung Ka Kunda said his record of accomplishment is a clear indication that he is the best candidate for the people for Bundung.
“I served my people in terms of organizing my community, to go into something that should be done by the central government or a full council. I put up so many water projects within Bundung- community lightening project and microfinance programme which majority of our women in Bundung are benefiting from. So when it comes to youth employment, we have been supporting youth not only in football, but in so many other areas in terms of giving scholarships to students for them to upgrade themselves to have a better living,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sheriff Sarr, for Jeswang believes the backing of APRC and NPP makes him the favourite to win the April 9 election.
“If you look at the people around me, it is a clear indication that I will emerge victorious come April 9 election. If you also look at the APRC party and NPP party who are backing me, I am hopeful that I will win this seat.
“I have already created history in Old-Jeshwang as a Ward Councillor. I gave them taps, and I have fenced our cemetery with the help of the community. I have also provided many scholarships for the students and even University students. I have been helping so many young people in my area,” he said.
Mr. Sarr said had been working with the people of his constituency during his 10-year councillorship.
“I served as ward councillor in Old-Jeshwang for 10 years. I have been working with the community of old Jeswang for so long, and I think that’s the reason they called me to come and be their candidate,” he said.
The APRC party is sponsoring seven (7) candidates for the 9th April Parliamentary elections.
The seven candidates include those of the five (5) constituencies in Foni who under the party’s ticket also submitted their details to the IEC West Coast Region office in Brikama.
Left- Modou Camara for Foni Bintang Karanai, Sunkary Badjie (stood down), Ebou Jarju for Foni Brefet, Kaddy Camara for Foni Bondali, Musa Amul Nyassi for Foni Kansala and Alhagie Sankung Jammeh for Foni Jarrol
Sitting members, Modou Camara for Foni Bintang Karanai, Kaddy Camara for Foni Bondali, Alhagie Sankung Jammeh for Foni Jarrol, and Musa Amul Nyassi for Foni Kansala are seeking re-election in their respective constituencies; while sitting member Sunkary Badjie stood down Ebou Jarju for the Foni Brefet and accompanied him to the nomination centre.
Similarly, independent candidates, Adoulie Bojang for Foni Kansala and Buba Manneh for Brikama South also presented their papers to the IEC West Coast Region office in Brikama.