APRC trounces opposition

The ruling APRC party has won the two main mayoral seats and ploughed ahead to scoop 101 councilor seats in a crushing victory in the country’s local government elections.

The redoubtable Samba Faal defeated Femi Peters after pulling 4,640 votes with the UDP sponsored candidate trailing behind with 1,067 votes. Mr Faal was duly declared the elected mayor of Banjul by the chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), Alhaji Mustapha Carayol.

In the Kanifing Municipality, APRC’s Yankuba Colley, emerged triumphant with a shocking landslide victory over Mamadou A Danso of the UDP, which is the main opposition party in the country’s political arena. Mr Colley knocked Mr Danso down with 19, 073 votes. Danso could only manage to get 8, 412 votes from the electorate of the country’s most populous municipality.

In the councilors’ elections, the independent candidates performed better than even the opposition parties, claiming 8 seats.  UDP won three seats, with NADD and NRP each winning 1 seat.

The outcome of the results has sparked speculations about the substance of the opposition parties in the country’s political lanscape. The failure of the opposition to win the hearts and minds of the electorate raises vital questions about their political efficacy.

Samba Faal speaks

The victorious APRC mayoral candidate for Banjul, Samba Faal, has reassured the people of Banjul of his continued determination and dedication to the cause of Banjul in making it the cleanest city in Africa.

In an exclusive interview with the Daily Observer, minutes after being declared winners of the mayoral race in Banjul, Mayor Samba Faal said having been given the mandate to serve Banjulians once more, he will deliver to the max.

On his development plans for Banjul, Mayor Samba Faal said environmental sanitation in Banjul is his topmost.

On infrastructure development, he pointed out the need for good roads and a proper water drainage system among other things, which will help boost the image of the city greatly. He added that plans will be laid to get involved in other social programs to achieve the MDGs within Banjul.

According to him, an election is like a social contract between the electorate and the candidate. "The electorate have done their quota. It is now our turn to make sure that we fulfil our part and not let the electorate down," he said.

Samba Faal then went on: "An election is an event but governance is a process and the process is continuous. I call on the people of Banjul to come together and work towards making Banjul a better place for everybody."

He further added that his council will go all out to complete the projects of the interim committee. In his message to the youths, Mr Faal reiterated that the future of Banjul lies in the hands of the youths and they have to play a major role, because the developments and everything are for them and for posterity.

According to him, everybody is part of the quest for Banjul’s development. "Forward with Banjul" he concluded.