Coalition 2026 is moving closer to choosing its presidential candidate by ballot after Ambassador Essa Bokar Sey pulled out of the nomination race over disagreement with the proposed voting process.
His departure leaves Kanifing Mayor and UNITE Party leader Talib Ahmed Bensouda, APP-Sobeya leader Essa Mbye Faal and Gambia Movement for Progress leader Dr. Sidat Yaffa competing to represent the alliance in December’s presidential election.
A source with knowledge of the coalition’s discussions said Sey formally withdrew on Friday afternoon after the contenders failed to agree on a compromise candidate. Sey had consistently maintained that the flagbearer should be chosen unanimously rather than through an internal election.
The four aspirants made another attempt to resolve the issue during talks on Thursday evening at former Vice President Fatoumatta Jallow Tambajang’s residence in Kotu. The meeting ended without a breakthrough.
Sey later informed the Coalition Mediation Committee that he would not take part in a ballot. In his letter, he said he remained committed to the principle of reaching “consensus within, not voting.”
He requested the removal of his name if the coalition continued with an election, arguing that the contenders themselves should agree on who would lead the alliance.
Coalition rules give its 11 member parties and political movements three delegates each in the flagbearer selection process. A full ballot would therefore involve as many as 33 representatives.
Bensouda, Faal and Yaffa are expected to meet again on Saturday morning for what could be their final attempt to settle the contest without voting. They are also due to appear before coalition stakeholders to outline their political programmes and explain why they should receive the nomination.
Voting is expected around midday if the latest consultations fail to produce an agreed candidate.
Although mediation efforts are continuing, people familiar with the discussions believe a ballot is now the most likely outcome. Several rounds of talks have failed to bridge the differences among the contenders, particularly over whether consensus should remain the only acceptable method of selection.
The successful candidate will carry Coalition 2026’s banner into the presidential election scheduled for December.
