It
has been revealed how APC national leader, Bola Tinubu helped to
facilitate peace in Gambia over the weekend by allowing his private jet
to fly out former president Yahya Jammeh and his family into exile.
Yahya Jammeh
After agreeing to leave and save The Gambia from a major crisis,
just days of stand-off, former President Yahya Jammeh, finally quit
office, yielding to last-minute pressure from Guinean President Alpha
Conde and his Mauritanian counterpart, Mohammed Ould Abdel Aziz, who
were with him between Friday and Saturday.
According to The Nation, the leaders in Gambia reached out to All
Progressives Congress (APC) leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, after Jammeh
was confronted by a big challenge on how to fly out, and the APC
chieftain authorised his private aircraft to be used to fly Jammeh out
of Banjul.
It was gathered that Tinubu’s VP-CBT Falcon Jet had been with
President Conde, who is a close friend of the leading politician. It was
not until late on Saturday night that Jammeh agreed to go.
Sources said Tinubu was contacted to allow the use of his jet to
fly Jammeh out of Banjul. He reportedly gave a condition: it should only
be used “if it will facilitate the quick exit of Jammeh and lead to the restoration of peace and democracy in The Gambia”.
The plane eventually flew out with Jammeh, his wife, mother and President Conde on board.
It was also learnt that Senegal, insisted on knowing those on board
before allowing it to overfly its airspace. This wish was granted.
Jammeh was flown to Equitorial Guinea where he will be on exile
Jammeh arrived at the airport amid a large convoy of vehicles and
throngs of cheering supporters. He stood on a small platform to hear
ceremonial music performed by a military band and then walked down a
long red carpet, surrounded by dignitaries.
He climbed the steps to the plane, turned and kissed and waved a Qur’an at those assembled.
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