By Fatou Sillah
The United Movement for Change (UMC) has clarified that it is not fielding a candidate in the upcoming Bantanjang Ward by-election, distancing itself from reports linking the party to aspirant Alagie Njie.
Speaking on the matter, UMC spokesperson Kemo Bojang stated that Alagie Njie, a former UDP executive member in Foni Bondali who later joined the Unite Movement for Change, will be contesting the by-election as an independent candidate, not under the UMC banner.
“UMC doesn’t have a candidate in this by-election, and among candidates, Alagie Njie is a Gambian; he has every right to contest any election he wants to contest, but he is not the candidate of the UMC,” Bojang said.
Bojang further explained that while Njie remains a member of the United Movement for Change, his candidacy is strictly independent.
“He is indeed a member of the UMC, but he is not a candidate of the UMC. If he were, it would have been clearly indicated by the Independent Electoral Commission,” he added.
The UMC spokesperson concluded by extending goodwill to Njie and all other contenders in the race.
“We wish him well. He is a Gambian, and we wish all the candidates the very best in the elections,” Bojang said.