Yahya Jammeh, the exiled former President of The Gambia, has expelled Bakary K. Badjie, the National Assembly member for Foni Bintang, from the APRC party, describing the lawmaker as “dishonourable”.

Badjie’s expulsion follows his announcement last week that he intends to run for president of The Gambia.

The move was rejected by Jammeh loyalists, including fellow Foni lawmaker Almamy Gibba, who dismissed Badjie’s presidential bid, stating that the party’s executive had not been consulted on the matter.

In an audio message, Jammeh confirmed the expulsion from his base in Equatorial Guinea. He also rejected Badjie’s presidential bid, stating that neither he nor the APRC executive were involved in the decision.

“I’ve never spoken to him except once when the executive was being formed, and each member of the executive was given a role to play. His role was to encourage the revival of agriculture. [But] he didn’t do anything about it, and that was the last time I spoke to him.

“So, I want to make it very clear that none of the members of the National Assembly were informed. They are not part of it, I am sure,” he said.

“Now that he has declared his intention, I want to make it very clear that he will not use the APRC. Anybody who wants to be president is free to do so, but they should go and form their own party. With effect from February 24, Bakary K. Badjie is hereby expelled from the APRC. He has been expelled from the party, and there will be no negotiation,” he added

By Adama Makasuba