The APRC-nominated candidate for Bakau Newtown, in the upcoming local government elections, has been expelled from the APRC party, ending his political ambition of being re-elected as the councillor for the ward.

Bakary B Darboes' expulsion was endorsed by the national chairman and leader of the APRC party, President Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh, who is empowered by the APRC constitution to revoke membership in the ruling party.

In a similar vein, Ms Yama Njie of Haddington Street in Banjul, has also been expelled from the party with immediate effect, a press release from the APRC Secretariat confirmed.

Meanwhile, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has issued a press release indicating the withdrawal of the candidature of Bakary B Darboe, widely referred to as BB Darboe. The IEC highlighted that this is in accordance with Section 51 of Decree 78 of 1996.

Contacted on this dramatic development, barely 10 days from the January 24 local government elections, the former Bakau Newtown councillor declined to elaborate on the circumstances surrounding his expulsion, saying "I will focus on my career as a bird watcher in the tourism industry and with politics.

I have been in the industry for almost a decade and going back there means a continuation of what I was engaged in," he said.

BB Darboe, who expressed gratitude to the president and the APRC party, was in the race for the Bakau Newtown seat, alongside UDP's Bakary Jobe and Noah Fatty, an independent candidate.