Reports reaching the Daily Observer have revealed that Yaya Whan, a native of Sarra Alpha in Nianija constituency, has been named the sponsored candidate of the ruling Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction in the race to the December 18 National Assembly by-election in the said constituency.

Mr Whan's candidacy, according to sources, was endorsed by Alhagie Dr Yahya Jammeh, president of the Republic of The Gambia and leader of the APRC party. Contacted on the development, Honourable Adama Cham, the National Assembly Member for Kombo North, who doubles as the APRC administrative secretary confirmed the story yesterday, adding that he was on his way to the said constituency for more preparations ahead of the election.

Yaya Whan who was selected after thorough vetting by APRC officials, was among the 13 APRC aspirants who had shown their interest in the candidacy. Many pundits belief that the said seat will be retaken by the APRC. The area has been an APRC stronghold since the birth of the party. It can be recalled that in the 2007 National Assembly elections, the ruling APRC party  gained over 2000 votes, constituting 60 per cent of the total votes cast.