BY AKALEKE, OUR BANJUL CORRESPONDENT
Gambia's opposition National Alliance For Democracy (NADD'S) flag bearer selection process, suffered a major set back today, as opposition leaders could not reach to a definitive agreement yet, as to who should lead the much talked about coalition in the country's October, 2006, Presidential election, unimpeachable sources, told this paper. As a result of this latest leadership impasse, NADD today announces to postpone its flag bearer naming political rally, which was scheduled to take place in the town of Brikama, Saturday.
Well placed sources at the NADD Secretariat, said the flag bearer meeting, which was scheduled for today Thursday, has been postponed to next week Wednesday. The sudden postponement of Thursday's meeting, was attributed to what our sources called"behind the scene negotiations" spearheaded by GPP leader Assan Musa Camara, who according to our sources is trying the prevail on the parties concerned to chart way forward and find a lasting solution to the NADD leadership struggle.
It would be recalled that at the first NADD, flag bearer nomination meeting, UDP leader Ousainou Darboe, could not readily concede to the majority decision, which paved the way for Gambia's popular politician Omar Amadou Jallow, to serve as flag bearer in the country's 2006, Presidential elections. Darboe, asked his colleagues to give him time to consult with his party officials, on the said NADD primaries.
The UDP leader, is said to be under strong pressure from his party supporters, who prevailed on him not accept the outcome of the just concluded NADD flag bearer selection. While the negotiations are on, Darboe and his party are yet to issue a formal statement on the said leadership political impasse.
Darboe, twice Presidential contender, is still said to be harbouring interest in the Presidency. Beside being a politician, Darboe, is also a lawyer by profession. It was OJ, who supported his nomination as flag bearer, in the past opposition coalition, which was boycotted by the NCP. NCP leader Sheriff Dibba, walked out from the coalition meeting, and accuses his colleagues of being treacherous. Dibba, say the nomination process was marred by flaws and as such he will not give his blessing to the nomination of Darboe.
As a result of this latest impasse on the NADD leadership selection, coalition coordinator Halifa Sallah, said the NADD flag bearer launching, which was scheduled to take place in Brikama, Saturday, had been postponed until further notice. "The launching has been dully postponed until further notice, because we have not yet reach a deal on the flag bearer selection and the meeting is rescheduled for Wednesday for continuation, and that's all I can say for now".Halifa Sallah, told news men in The Gambian capital Banjul, today.
Mr.Sallah's pronouncement on the NADD political impasse, sent a shocking waves to NADD supporters both at home and abroad. Coalition supporters in the country, warns that if the issue is not handled with care and sense of patriotism, the much talked about opposition merger will suffer just like the failed NCP, UDP, PPP, and GPP coalition. They appealed to opposition leaders to put aside their differences, love for power and forge ahead.
Local observers also warns that if greed, and love power are not set aside, NADD will likely failed, just like other opposition mergers on the continent. They added that the coalition memorandum of understanding launching should have been accompanied by the naming of its flag bearer. They say time is not at the side of the opposition and its failure to name a flag bearer at this hour, is worrying.
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