The People's Democratic Organization for Independence and Socialism (PDOIS) is one of only two political parties from The Gambia's First Republic that remains in existence today.

PDOIS played a pivotal role in the formation of Coalition 2016, which successfully brought together opposition forces and enabled the democratic removal of former President Yahya Jammeh through the ballot box.

In January 2025, the party's long-serving Chairperson, Hon. Sidia Jatta, and Secretary General, Hon. Halifa Sallah, decided not to seek election to the Central Committee. During the same congress, PDOIS did not nominate a presidential candidate for the upcoming presidential election scheduled for 5 December 2026. Historically, PDOIS has selected its presidential candidate at congresses held during election years.

Given the important role PDOIS has played in coalition-building efforts in the past, and the constructive role it can continue to play ahead of the 2026 presidential election, we, the undersigned petitioners, believe that PDOIS must nominate a presidential candidate who, together with the Central Committee, can participate effectively in any opposition coalition discussions.

Should such discussions fail to produce a single opposition flag bearer to challenge the incumbent president, the PDOIS candidate should contest the election. This would ensure that the party retains and mobilizes its core supporters rather than allowing them to drift toward other political parties.

We, like many Gambians, deeply appreciate and acknowledge the immense contributions of Hon. Sidia Jatta and Hon. Halifa Sallah to the founding, development, and sustainability of PDOIS over more than four decades. However, we firmly believe that their decision not to serve on the Central Committee should not result in the decline, disintegration, or eventual demise of the party. Such an outcome would not be the best way to honor their enduring legacy in Gambian politics.

Therefore, we, the undersigned, respectfully call on the Central Committee of PDOIS to immediately establish a transparent process through which party members who aspire to serve as the next generation of leaders, both for PDOIS and for The Gambia, may declare their candidacies for the party's presidential nomination. We further call on the party to allow its members to choose a presidential candidate in accordance with Article 91 of the PDOIS Constitution.

Finally, we call upon all Gambians, irrespective of their political affiliation, whether residing in The Gambia or in the diaspora, to support this petition by signing it. In doing so, they will send a clear message to the Central Committee that PDOIS must not be allowed to decline simply because Hon. Sidia Jatta and Hon. Halifa Sallah are no longer serving in leadership positions within the party.