By Omar Bah
The Coalition Taskforce Mediation Committee (CTMC) today opened nominations for a unified opposition flag-bearer ahead of the 5th December 2026 presidential election, signalling a concerted push to consolidate opposition forces.
Speaking to The Standard yesterday, CTMC Chairman Professor Yero Mballow said participating parties and movements may collect nomination forms today and submit candidates to a vetting panel established by the committee to manage and validate the nomination process.
Professor Mballow said the vetting panel will complete an initial review by Saturday, when the committee will publicly announce candidates who meet the established criteria and are cleared to contest the coalition primaries.
Those disqualified in the initial screening will be afforded the right to appeal the decision, he added, underscoring the committee’s commitment to procedural fairness and transparency.
The CTMC has also published clear eligibility standards that emphasised competence, integrity, and national acceptability.
Professor Mballow described these benchmarks as necessary safeguards against patronage-driven selections, stressing that the coalition seeks a candidate capable of winning broad public support and governing effectively if elected.
Framing opposition unity as essential, Professor Mballow urged all opposition parties and movements to set aside narrow interests and rally around a shared vision for the country’s future. He said the coalition process is designed to produce a single, credible challenger who can present a viable alternative to the incumbent.
