Gambia opposition lawmakers have boycotted a parliamentary session on a government bill that seeks lifetime pay for former presidents.

The lawmakers, from UDP and PDOIS as well as independent members,  picked their opposition after the speaker Fabakary Tombong Jatta announced the bill for the former presidents in the National Assembly to be considered under the certificate of urgency.

Speaker Tombong Jatta then put the question for members to consider the bill under a certificate of urgency. 

About 30 members voted in favour of considering the bill under the certificate of urgency, while 17 voted against it.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba