Ahmed D Jack, who was widely seen as a top contender in Banjul’s mayoral election in May, has withdrawn his candidacy last week, throwing his support behind Rohey Malick Lowe.

Shortly after his withdrawal, Mr Jack wrote on Facebook: “Since withdrawing my candidature for the Banjul Mayoral Elections, it is incumbent on me to support, endorse and join the TEAM LOWE campaign bandwagon.”

He continued: “Rohey Malick Lowe is a GO-GETTER who can make things work. She has a mission, vision and the wherewithal to manage Banjul. Her fortitude and business acumen is a clear manifest. I therefore urge all Banjulians to come out and vote in the first elected female Mayor of Banjul.”

Mr Jack, who once worked with the Gambia Ports Authority, was praised for stepping aside for Rohey Malick Lowe.

Reacting to his Facebook post, one Boto Cisse wrote: “Thank you so much. You are so patriotic. You withdrew for the interest of Banjul and the country as a whole. Bravo to you!”

The mayoral election is scheduled to take place in May.