Pa Nderry, what is your agenda, these days? Are you this irresponsible?
Did NADD call a press conference and tell you that? You continue this
behavior and you risk being viewed a joke. It's up to you.
Chi Jaama
Joe
>From: panderry mbai <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: [log in to unmask]
>To: [log in to unmask], [log in to unmask]
>Subject: [>-<] WILL DARBOE ACCEPT OJ'S NOMINATION AS NADD FLAG BEARER?
>Date: Wed, 18 Jan 2006 04:15:49 +0000 (GMT)
>
> [input]
> EDITORIAL
>
>
>
> Today, we reported about the NADD leadership nomination, which seemingly
>gave PPP'S former agriculture Minister Omar Amdaou Jallow, the lead. OJ, as
>he is widely called was supported by three opposition parties to serve as
>NADD'S flag bearer. We received the said reports from credible sources and
>nobody can make us doubt the reliability of these well placed sources.
>Darboe, we learned had asked to be given time, to consult with his
>colleagues at the UDP. It is not yet clear, whether the UDP leader will
>recognise the nomination of OJ or not. NADD is undergoing crucial moment
>and its leadership, should set aside the issue of love for power.
>
> We do not want to pass judgements now, since Darboe, is yet to make up
>his mind on OJ'S nomination. We must point out that any attempt on Darboe
>or any member of the coalition to pull out at this hour from NADD, will
>cost the opposition dearly. The issue of identifying a leader should not
>have been a problem in the first place. We still cannot understand why NADD
>could not deal with this matter in one day. There is something wrong
>somewhere. The mere fact that Darboe, could not agree on the spot at the
>nomination ground, suggested that his dream of being a flag bearer had
>shattered. We expect Darboe and all NADD executive members to dance to the
>dictates of democracy. The choice of the people, should prevail at the end
>of the day, irrespective of one's political following and popularity.
>
> Darboe, should team up with any political leader selected by the
>coalition. His request to be given time by the coalition to liaise with his
>party, is not only worrying but discouraging to say the least. Our
>political leaders should put the nation's interest at heart and do away
>with the issue of "MANSA" dream. Our country is at cross roads and we
>should not allow greed to undermine the growing demand for change.
>
> OJ'S nomination is greeted by mixed feelings. While, some people
>described him as a "spent force" others argued that he is one of the
>country's most charismatic politicians. Yes, the PPP, government to some
>extent were found wanting. But we must point out that this was the
>administration, that brought The Gambia, on the world map. Thanks to Sir
>Dawda, our country, was ranked as one of most democratic countries on the
>continent. Under Yahya Jammeh's rule, is the opposite. Under Jawara,
>people were free to speak their minds on national issues. People, were
>never subjected to the type of dehumanisation were facing today. People,
>openly criticised the old man, without having the fear of being arrested or
>monitored by the secret service.
>
> In order to restore the liberties and freedoms, we used to enjoy under
>Jawara's rule, NADD should put its house in order and stop the unnecessary
>bickering and power struggle. While, others doubted OJ's competence of
>being a main challenger to Jammeh, critics of Darboe, also argued that he
>should give chance to others, in view of his two failed Presidential bid.
>That he ran on two consecutive terms, without winning the Presidency.
>People are advancing all kinds of arguments these days to promote their
>candidate of choice. It is healthy to agree and disagree, but we should not
>lost track of the national interest, which overides individual interest.
>
> Having said this, we urge the NADD leadership to go ahead with their
>programs and avoid falling into Jammeh's prediction. Jammeh, will be more
>than happy to see NADD in disarray as reported by his paper, the Observer,
>the other day. The whole world is watching at NADD. If its leadership,
>failed Gambians, our country is doomed politically. This will give Yahya
>Jammeh, the opportunity to rule our country for three decades, just like
>that of the deposed PPP administration. If such a thing happens, we
>foresee a Gambia, where people will die in the streets because of
>starvation. We foresee a Gambia, where the prisons will be the homes for
>the powerless and the under privileged, as it obtains today under Yahya's
>self perpetual rule. This will also pave way for Jammeh, to further
>infringe on the rights and liberties of citizens.
>
> OJ, seems to be trusted by the three opposition parties. That they all
>rallied behind him. As Bob Marley said"WHO THE CAP FITS, LET HIM WEAR IT."
>We are not suggesting that OJ is the right candidate, but the wishes of the
>people should come first. Despite the odds attributed to OJ, we can
>comfortably say that he is a true nationalist. Here is a man, who refused
>to toe to the line of Yahya's repressive regime. Earning himself as the
>most arrested politician, OJ, suffered torture and untold persecution under
>Yahya's watch. Because of his love for the country, OJ, abandoned personal
>life, just to defend the hijacked God given rights of Gambians. He is one
>of those politicians, who openly stood against Yahya's bully tactics.
>
> As far we are concerned the PPP is incomparable with the APRC. They are
>far better than the APRC and people trying to blame them for their past
>deeds should thoroughly compare the two, before making unfair judgements.
>As an independent Newspaper, we will not support the nomination of any
>candidate, for ethical reasons, but we have all rights to comment on the
>shortfalls of some of the candidates. We owe it to our readers to comment
>on the shortfalls and achievements of Darboe, OJ, Halifa, Hamat and Waa. We
>believe that such commentaries will help electorates to make informed
>decisions on their political leaders.
>
> This is not the time for Gambians to be economical with the truth. This
>not the time for sycophancy. This is not the time to advocate politics of
>tribalism. We must address issues without fair or favour. Since NADD said
>they came to rectify a corrupt and dictatorial system, it should not
>entertain praise singing. A good number of Gambians, prefer to speak behind
>the scenes and not in the open, even though they have reservations against
>what their leaders are doing. We must break the culture of silence, if we
>want to effect any meaningful change in our dear country. NADD belongs to
>the people and its leaders should encourage its followers to speak out.
>This will help NADD to make head way in their bid to effect democratic
>change.
>
> Its leadership should also be opened to the Press to avoid speculations.
>NADD should be organising press briefings, on a weekly basis to inform
>Gambians about their programs. The Gambian voters, reserve the right to
>know what their political leaders are doing on their behalf.
>
> On a final note, we want to reaffirm our last statement to Darboe, that
>it would be suicidal on his part to contemplate pulling out from NADD.
>NADD, is the popular demand for The Gambian people and we expect him to
>respect the wishes and aspirations of Gambians. We say Ousainou "ESABARI"
>meaning cool down. We hope NADD will officially name its flag bearer,
>Thursday, when Ousainou reports back to them. Until then. As for now, they
>say OJ is on the lead. We rest our case.....
>
>
> The author is the former Secretary General of The Gambia press Union and
>also a former Voice of America radio Banjul Correspondent. Mr. M'Bai who
>now resides in the US State of North Carolina Raleigh was a leading
>political and crime reporter with the Point and Daily Observer newspapers
>respectively. He can be reached by email at the following addresses:
>[log in to unmask], [log in to unmask] or [log in to unmask]
>
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