Lawyer Assa Martine, has warned President Adama Barrow that preventing Talib Bensouda from contesting the December 5 presidential election could also raise questions about the president’s own participation in the race.

Martine made the remarks while defending Bensouda amid the controversy surrounding his eligibility following the release of the government’s White Paper on the commission’s findings.

He argued that the Kanifing Municipal Council Mayor should not be held responsible for the commission’s report and insisted that Gambians would not accept any attempt to undermine a free and fair electoral process.

“Gambians would not accept anything except a free, fair election, but Mayor Bensouda has no responsibility with this commission report,” Martine said.

He went further to draw a direct comparison between Bensouda’s eligibility and President Barrow’s participation in the forthcoming election, warning that the president should not expect to contest if the mayor is prevented from doing so.

“If Mayor Bensouda is not going to stand, let me say one thing, that means that President Adama Barrow will not stand,” he declared.

Martine also warned President Barrow against allowing any attempt to prevent Bensouda from contesting, saying the government should be prepared for the consequences of such a decision.

He maintained that the mayor must be given the opportunity to participate in the electoral process and that any decision concerning his eligibility should be handled fairly.

The lawyer further warned that if attempts were made to block Bensouda’s candidacy, the matter could be taken beyond The Gambia, referring to Senegal in his remarks.

His comments come amid an ongoing political dispute over Bensouda’s eligibility following the publication of the White Paper, which has attracted criticism from the mayor and his supporters.

The controversy has added to the political debate surrounding the December 5 presidential election, with Bensouda’s supporters insisting that he should be allowed to participate in the race.

By Adama Makasuba