A protracted battle over the chairmanship of Sanyang Village Development Committee (VDC) has been quelled, with the dissolution of the entire committee by the Brikama Area Council (BAC).

The dispute involved two factions, with one led by Kebba Bojang, who was said to had been elected by the Council of Elders of the village. Bafoday Touray, said to had been elected by the representatives of the wards, was leading the opposing camp.

Mr Sunkari Badjie, the chairman of BAC, defended the decision of his council to dissolve the committee which, according to him, was in line with the powers vested on the council.

In an interview with the Daily Observer, Chairman Badjie said report of the dispute was lodged with BAC some months ago. He said this was followed by the setting up of two investigation teams, who were dispatched to the village on a fact finding mission.

Mr Badjie noted that reports of the two investigating teams revealed that both factions were fighting over the chairmanship.

Chairman Badjie further narrated that the two reports also indicated that elders of Sanyang had a long-standing tradition of selecting a VDC chairman, which runs contrary to the Local Government Act. "We have tried to make them understand, but to no avail," Mr Badjie said.

He said the council later informed the Office of the Paramount Chief to intervene in the impasse, as the problem continued to drag on.

He said the matter was later brought to the Office of the Governor, who had used his own discretion to call for a meeting on it.

He told the Daily Observer that a meeting was then convene for the nomination of candidates for the election, where only three Kabilolu had attended, and the rest bowed out.

However, he assured the Daily Observer that another meeting would be called soon to elect a new executive of the VDC.