Amid questions regarding his education records following the submission of his nomination papers for the 5th December presidential election, National Democratic Party (NDP) leader, Kebba Madi Bojang, has insisted that education qualifications are not the principal indicator of good leadership.
He said he is challenging anyone who doubts his education and making noise over it on social media to have a debate with him at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara Conference Centre where he will teach them wisdom.
The electoral law mandates that a candidate must complete senior secondary education, attain a minimum age of 30 years, and secure nomination from not less than 5,000 registered voters among others to contest presidential elections.
Bojang, 51, a former youth leader of the ruling NPP filed his nominations on Friday and submitted a 2025 private West African Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) result without a corresponding certificate.
IEC chairman, Joseph Colley, however raised concerns about the result, questioning why Bojang would write the WASSCE exam at the age of 51.
The issue generated intense debates as to whether his education qualifications are legit. But speaking to his supporters in Brikama after his nomination filing, Bojang explained that he attained senior secondary education at Alpha Khan in addition to some college programmes he did. He said these, coupled with his vast experience in life puts him nowhere near the level of his doubters.
He charged: “To those sycophants who don’t know what they are saying, I don’t have much to tell them. I want to make it clear to them that nobody owns education, and education has no age limit. People with grey hairs are still learning. If you have a vision, education will help you get there. I am able to do what I am doing today because of my experiences. To those making noise on the social media thinking they are educated, let them meet me at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Conference Centre. Let us debate and see who Gambians will actually listen to. In fact, what have they achieved with their so-called education for the benefit of The Gambia? They claim to be educated, yet they cannot even alleviate the suffering of their own family members. Before they make a mockery of me, let them come and seek out my experience so that I can help them learn something to go about their worldly business. These people are nowhere near my level. I am not their mate. If they dispute this, let them try me.”
