The Gambia Action Party (GAP) has announced Ba Samba Drammeh, a social worker and human rights activist, as its presidential candidate for the December 5 election, with party founder Musa Ousainou Yali Batchilly as his vice presidential running mate.
In a statement shared with The Standard yesterday, GAP said Batchilly’s decision to step aside as flagbearer was not driven by weakness or fear, but by sacrifice, humility and patriotism.
“Servant Musa Ousainou Yali Batchilly is not driven by personal ambition, political power or the hunger for position. His willingness to give another capable Gambian the opportunity to serve as the Presidential Candidate is a deliberate act of sacrifice,” the party said.
GAP said true leadership is about courage to sacrifice when it creates greater opportunity for the nation, adding that Batchilly does not need the presidency to prove his capacity to serve.
“His focus is bigger than any individual position. It is about justice, accountability, national development, sovereignty, economic transformation and a better future for every Gambian,” the statement said.
The party called on Drammeh to honour the trust placed in him and carry the responsibility with humility, courage and discipline.
“He must not betray this confidence. He must come through for the Gambian people,” GAP said.
According to the party, the two will work vigorously to bring meaningful change, with their partnership focusing on putting The Gambia first.
According to the statement, should GAP win the December poll, Batchilly will serve as vice president.
GAP also stated that the official unveiling of the flagbearer will be held today, October 23, and urged supporters to remain patient.
“This is bigger than Musa Ousainou Yali Batchilly. It is bigger than any individual. It is about The Gambia,” the party said.
The party said its leadership model is built on sacrifice over selfish ambition, service over power, and action over empty promises, to reset, restore and rebuild The Gambia.
Drammeh reacts to selection
When contacted for comments, Mr Drammeh confirmed to The Standard that he has accepted GAP’s nomination to serve as its presidential candidate. He said the party is ready to contest the election with or without an alliance.
Asked what Gambians should expect from his presidency, Drammeh said: “I will not promise you miracles, but I can promise you justice that works, jobs that feed our youth, and a government that stops exporting our talent and starts investing in it.”
He said the era of importing what “we can grow, ignoring our hospitals, and begging for what we can build ourselves is over”.
“We will fix the cost of living, secure our land and resources for Gambians first, and make The Gambia a country you don’t have to escape to survive.”
