By: Kebba Ansu
Charge d’Affaires at Nigerian High Commission in The Gambia has expressed his country’s readiness to supporting The Gambia to enjoying stability and progress ahead of the December, 2021, election.
His Excellency Eche Abu-Oba, speaking to press members at the Nigerian Community in The Gambia Royal Night Awards held on Saturday emphasized that his office is keenly monitoring event especially the country (The Gambia) December presidential election from the sidelines.
The night of the Royal Night Awards witnessed the awards of twelve (12) distinguished sons of Nigeria and two (2) Gambians who were decorated and awarded with certificates for their immense contributions towards the development of the two countries.
“Nigeria has always comes to the help of brothers within the sub region and has always seen The Gambia as a junior brother. It’s always your wish to seeing your junior brother progress by putting in place measures and instruments to make sure everything goes as planned,” His Excellency Eche Abu-Oba told The Voice.
He added: “The crux of the matter is, if there is a brotherly relationship then it has to be cohesive. You don’t want to have any form of acrimony and what Nigeria stands to gain is the stability and prosperity of The Gambia.”
He also pointed out that Nigerian has played a pivotal role in maintaining the peace and stability of The Gambia after the 2016, Presidential election and its subsequent impasse thus contributing troops to ECOMIG stabilising forces currently stationed in The Gambia.
However, H.E Eche Abu-Oba disclosed that his country is currently monitoring Gambia’s December2021 election saying “I want to wish The Gambian people well and what I want to add is, we (Nigerian High Commission) are watching from the sidelines to make sure that everything goes well as planned ahead of the coming election,” he said.
He further expressed delights towards the Presidential pardon extended to three (2) Nigerian inmates in observance of the Muslim Feast of Eid ul Fitr, adding that the gesture by the government of The Gambia is a welcoming one that the High Commission truly appreciative.
According to him, Nigerian High Commission has always been particular with the situation of Nigerian nationals serving jail terms in Gambia prisons, revealing that occasionally the High Commission extends assistance to these prisoners to making them more comfortable while serving jail terms.
