Manneh Calls GFA Congress ‘Unconstitutional’

• Posted by Modou S. Joof on January 12, 2010 at 9:46pm
• View Modou S. Joof's blog

But the Football Association’s President Disagrees

Banjul, The Gambia (TNBES) Kebba Yorro Manneh, a social commentator and critic has branded the recent Gambia Football (GFA) Congress as unconstitutional after his contender for the post of Third Vice President was elected in absentia.
Samba won with a difference of 39 votes after he bagged 54 votes while Manneh secured 12 votes.
“The election was manipulated, fabricated and masterminded in the sense that all the members of the executive committee shall be elected from among the delegates,” he told journalists in an interview after the congress.
He quoted a section in the 2001 GFA Constitution, which stated that; “All members of the executive committee shall be elected amongst the delegates.” “Which means that nobody shall be elected in absentia,” he said.
Kebba’s arguments were based on the fact that his contestant, Halla Samba was elected in his absence. However, his arguments fall on deaf years as the motion was moved to confirm Halla Samba’s election as the third vice president and the Association’s number four.
“I will launch a complain to the highest authorities by making it get to the President of the Republic of The Gambia, who is the Chief Patron of Gambia Football and the letter will also reach CAF and FIFA to ensure that things are tackle once an for all,” he threatened.
However, in an interview monitored over West Coast Radio 2 (Sports Talk) Programme, the President of the GFA, Seedy M.B. Kinteh described the election of Halla Samba as the prerogative of the Congress, citing that there is nothing he could do about it.
“And if you look at it, the protest came after nominations were closed,” he argued.
He also said: “can a person be elected in absentia; well the Constitution is very silent on that, it did not state that a person cannot be elected in absentia.” VOL:2 ISSN:18