The leadership of the 18th Executive Council of the University of The Gambia Students’ Union (UTGSU) has put off  the handing over and swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected executive scheduled for Monday 2nd November, 2020.

“The decision came up following our official receipt of the Judicial Tribunal’s ruling on the ex parte motion in the matter forwarded by the appellant of the Petition. Meanwhile, this demonstrates the Council’s resolve to respect and uphold the dictates of the UTGSU Constitution,” the council said in a statement.

UTG students are facing a leadership crisis after the electoral victory of Ousman Jassey-led camp got disputed. His camp is accused of fraud – and the judicial tribunal at the top institution on Saturday handed down a ruling on an ex-parte motion filed by Kemo Fatty and his team which forbade the 18th Executive Council from handing over to the new council.

The 18th Executive Council is however arguing: “It is instructive to note that we, the outgoing Executive Council, have highly cherished the principles of separation of power and rule of law. We have and will continue to respect the independence of other arms of our governance system within the confines of the Constitution.”

“However, we draw the attention of all UTG students and more especially, the Judicial Tribunal that Section 54(6) of the UTGSU Constitution compels the outgoing Executive Council to relinquish power and swear in the newly elected Executive Body not later than two weeks after the official declaration of results. Clearly, it could be vividly recalled that on Thursday 22nd October, 2020, the UTGSU Electoral Commission (UTGSU-EC) conducted election and declared the result on Friday 23rd October,2020. Therefore, the two weeks constitutional mandate for a handing over will elapse on Friday 6th November, 2020.”

The current executive has challenged the Judicial Tribunal to expedite its electoral petition hearings prior the expiration of their mandate as per the Constitution, They issue an ultimatum to the Tribunal to determine the outcome of its Petition hearings on or before Friday 6th November, 2020.

“The issued ultimatum seeks to ensure that we do not remain and operate in office unconstitutionally. Therefore, we prevail on the UTGSU-JT to cooperate with us in a bit to avoid any illegal perpetuation of our existence in office.”

 

By:Sainabou Jasseh