Gambian lawyer and political commentator Melville Robertson Roberts has publicly accepted Information Minister Dr Ismaila Ceesay’s challenge to a public debate.

This comes after Dr Ceesay issued an open call to opposition figures during an exclusive interview on the daily morning talk show Coffee Time, aired on West Coast Radio.

Within 24 hours of the minister’s remarks, Roberts took to his social media platforms to respond.

“With utmost and profound respect, I write to publicly and humbly accept the open invitation issued by Dr Ismaila Ceesay for a public debate,” he stated, adding: “This is an invitation so cloaked in intellectual and political thunder that one might hesitate for fear of the storm that follows.”

Roberts called on Dr Ceesay to honour his acceptance, while humbly acknowledging his own position in the national discourse.

“I nonetheless pray the good doctor does not look too lowly upon me, and will graciously consider this acceptance in good faith. I welcome the opportunity to engage him on any topic of Gambian governance, past, present, or imagined,” he said.

The public is now anticipating what could become a defining moment in Gambian political dialogue, with attention turning to Dr Ceesay, who has openly challenged opposition figures to engage in direct debate.

By Adama Makasuba