Gambia’s first independent, female presidential aspirant, Dr. Isatou Touray has, after backing out of the race for election, announced her support to Adama Barrow as the opposition coalition’s flag bearer.
In a press statement, Touray said she unreservedly endorsed Barrow’s candidature and congratulated him and the entire opposition leaders and delegates, for an unprecedented achievement in the nation’s history.
“In demonstration of my leadership and in vindication of my desire to present myself as a unifying candidate for the opposition, I hereby acknowledge that the emergence of a single candidate under the banner of a unified opposition coalition is a dream come true,” she said.
In the same statement, she acknowledged the efforts done by her team and all those individuals who have formed a formidable force to bring the opposition together after 22 years of efforts to remove the Yahya Jammeh regime from power.
“Today, I celebrate all those who stood by me to effect the change we desire for the Gambia. I see nothing but a Gambia that will thrive on the principles of democracy, human rights and fundamental freedom.
“A Gambia with good and strong institutions, that will work and thrive on policies and principles of good governance that will benefit all of us.
“In this vein, I wish to hereby suspend my presidential election campaign and withdraw my candidature, so as to offer my unflinching support and cooperation to the coalition in a bid to stir the affairs of this country towards salvation from tyranny,” Touray said.
She also commended Gambians and non-Gambians, at home and abroad, who have reposed their confidence and trust in her through various ways including financial and material donations, contribution of ideas, community mobilization and routine campaign organization.
“I wish to urge all my supporters and indeed all Gambians to rally behind the candidature of Mr. Adama Barrow and the opposition to vote for the change we desire on December 1. I equally urge all opposition parties, leaders and supporters, to put any party affiliation aside for sometime and focus on unity of purpose and direction to remove this dictator with an overwhelming victory for the Coalition candidate,” she added.
Source PANA
