President Adama Barrow, Lawyer Ousainou Darboe, Mama Kandeh and Abdoulie Ebrima Jammeh have been slammed for failing to show up at a presidential debate. 

Gambians from all walks of life expressed their disappointment with the candidates for their absence. 

Only Halifa Sallah and Essa Faal showed up at the debate last Saturday to discuss their policies and programmes for the country. 

Madi Jobarteh, political commentator and social activist thanked the two candidates for showing up to the debate.

“There was no indecency, hate, offensive or violence expression hence the debate was indeed fine. Halifa and Essa are therefore the winners of this debate,” he said.

“This means the losers indeed are Adama Barrow, Ousainou Darboe, Mama Kandeh and Abdoulie Jammeh. They did not only fail themselves and their parties but above all they also failed Gambians woefully.”

According to him, coming to this debate is not about one’s opponent saying rather coming to  this debate is about taking responsibility for your ideas as well as taking the leadership to share those ideas with citizens in asking them to give you their mandate.

“It is to have the will to face accountability for your ideas and to convince citizens that you have a well-thought-out agenda that is fit for purpose. 

“Hence coming to this debate is about respecting the voter and citizens in general that one is humble and tolerant to face the people to explain oneself as to what you wish to do for their country,” he said.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba