Opposition Coalition 2026 leader Talib Ahmed Bensouda has alleged that ‘unprecedented covert attempts’ are going on to undermine his bid to be a candidate in next month’s election.
He also warned IEC chairman Joseph Colley and Justice Minister Dawda Jallow to watch their steps and not to allow President Barrow to “use them in his all-out war” to prevent his candidature.
Addressing a rally in Brufut on Saturday, Bensouda who has since maintained that the LG Commission was set up to principally weaken his political ambitions, alleged that he is aware of ongoing covert attempts by senior officials at State House including the Minister of Justice who he alleged visited IEC trying to “dictate” them.
“I want to warn you Dawda Jallow. I heard that you are doing a lot behind the scenes. As Attorney General you have to be independent. I have never seen an Attorney General go to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and try to dictate them. You went to the president and told him not to have any concerns about blocking Talib. You advised him that there would be no unrest and that it would only play out on social media. You told him that even though he was wrong, there would be no issue because by the time Talib goes to court and wins, the election would have passed. I want to remind you, Dawda Jallow, that presidents go into exile after losing elections but ministers stay here with us. So, do the right thing and protect your integrity for tomorrow. We are aware of all your movements between the State House and the IEC offices. This is a country where we are all related. You may be secretly talking to someone who turns out to be my relative or the relative of a friend. So, I am seeing everything you are working on,” Bensouda said.
Turning to the chairman of the IEC, Bensouda said: “Mr Joseph Colley, I am reminding you that you should remain independent. People respect you a lot in this country, so do not compromise your independence. These people will not be here forever; presidents come and go. So, do the right thing,” Bensouda urged Colley.
Meanwhile Mayor Talib Ahmed Bensouda, also accused the government of altering the Local Government Commission of Inquiry report before its publication, claiming that information was added to the final document different from what the commissioners originally wrote.
Speaking at a rally in Old Yundum Friday, Bensouda questioned the credibility and legality of the report and its accompanying White paper, which were published on Thursday night.
He alleged that the version released to the public contained additional information that was not in the drafts he had seen during the Commission’s work.
Bensouda claimed he had personally seen three versions of the report, including the first draft, the second draft and the final version submitted by the Commission’s chairperson to President Adama Barrow.
However, he alleged that the government withheld the final report before releasing a different version to the public.
“The one that was released Thursday night, has a lot more added there. I don’t know if it was the president himself that was writing and adding in the report,” he alleged.
The Standard reached out to Justice Minister Dawda Jallow on Bensouda’s allegations,
He replied “Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I have not personally heard the allegations reportedly made by Mr Bensouda against me, but if he did make them, none of them is true.
For the record, I have not visited the IEC since I became Attorney General more than six years ago, nor have I sent anyone to their offices on my behalf. The IEC can readily confirm this.
The claim that I advised the president to direct the IEC is equally untrue. The IEC is independent in its mandate, and H.E. the president does not direct the Commission in the conduct of its electoral functions”.
