Sidia Jatta, a veteran politician, has suffered a shock defeat in the National Assembly elections on Saturday. 

Jatta lost his safe seat of Wuli West to the ruling National People’s Party. 

Nfamara Sabally won a decisive victory with 3,359 votes well ahead of Jatta on 2,165. 

Mai Ahmed Fatty, leader of Gambia Moral Congress, came third with 1,235 votes while United Democratic Party’s Tida Kijera polled only 958 votes.

Mr Jatta’s defeat was the big upset of the parliamentary elections and it was received with shock by many political observers. 

They have expressed concerns over how the upcoming parliament will operate with the absence of veterans like Sidia Jatta and his ally Halifa Sallah.

Jatta has represented the people Wulli West for over two decades and have won many admirers for his stance on social justice issues. 

Reporting by Adama Makasuba