Lawyers, soldiers, teachers and even university students are contesting for seats in the April 6 National Assembly elections.

One of them is Pa Ousman Cham. He was a soldier in the British Army and served in Iraq for one year.

In an interview with What’s On-Gambia, he revealed. “I am an independent candidate running for Banjul North, where I was born.”

Pa Ousman, who holds an advanced diploma in IT and Law, said he joined politics to contribute to national development.

“I have projects to implement and I felt the only way I can do it is through parliament.”

According to him, his opponents “have nothing meaningful to offer Banjul apart from political promises.”

“I don’t know them personally, but I have seen some of them during a debate and their performance was not up to parliamentary standard.”

The former soldier is the only known Diaspora Gambian contesting in the upcoming national assembly elections.