WHAT DO THEY HOPE TO ACHIEVE?
Is it quality enhancement or quality elimination?
I cannot really fathom the reason that must have motivated the United
Democratic Party (UDP) to put up a candidate to contest the Serrekunda Central
National Assembly seat. However, before I proceed, let me state that I
acknowledge the inalienable right of any individual who wishes and satisfies all the
constitutional requirements of nationality, age, residency, voter eligibility,
etc., to vie for this office of representation, more so, a registered
political party to sponsor a candidate. My concern, therefore, is in no way
negating this right. It does not preclude the right of the UDP to put up a candidate
in any constituency. It is only trying to find a solution to the puzzle as
posed in the questions that captioned this article.
As the country was emerging from a presidential election that was
characterised by widespread voter apathy and again bracing itself for a looming
National Assembly elections impregnated with uncertainties, the NADD presidential
contestant and minority leader, Halifa Sallah, announced his party’s resolve to
employ a tactical alliance with other opposition parties and independent
aspirants. The objective, as he said, was to ensure a Non-APRC majority in the
National Assembly. This would have allowed the combined opposition and
independents to agree on sponsoring and supporting only one candidate against the
APRC in every constituency based on the assessed competence, charisma and
optimal chances of the person or the party. The NADD further cited examples that
in such a scenario they would ensure that the constituencies of Kemeseng
Jammeh, Hamat Bah, Dembo Bojang, to name a few, would not be rivaled by the
opposition considering the non-rubberstamp role these people will be expected to
play in the National Assembly when elected.
This move was very much welcomed with enthusiasm and optimism by all those
who care to see democracy and rule of law prevail in The Gambia. These include
both the opposition and the APRC supporters, as well as concerned
non-nationals who all believe that a critical National Assembly is what will make the
country move forward by putting a check to the excesses in governance and
which cannot be done by an APRC dominated rubber-stamp legislature. A critical
non-APRC majority in the Assembly augurs well for democracy and good governance.
For the rational opposition, the voters have already made the big mistake by
electing President Jammeh for another five years of misrule, mismanagement
and impunity. However, the conviction is that the absolutism and excesses of
the APRC regime can be put to a leash when the voters elect people who are
critical and resolved to make the National Assembly an effective and robust
oversight institution as prescribed by the constitution of the second republic.
Hence the interest and support for the opposition to be one block this time
round. As for these APRC supporters they believe in the separation of powers.
They are happy that President Jammeh has been re-elected. However, they would
want him to deliver and which they believe can only materialize when there
exist a strong Assembly of non-praise singing, non-flattering and non-self
seeking deputies who will guide the executive to serve the people. For these
people, they are ready to support any candidate who is more credible than the
APRC one in order to serve this purpose.
Why then did the UDP and NRP not reciprocate by declaring the constituencies
of the likes of Halifa Sallah, Sidia Jatta, etc. non-contestable for their
parties, given the well pronounced caliber and quality of representation of
these NAMs in the National Assembly? Although the UDP has not put up candidates
in the constituencies of Sidia Jatta and two other NADD candidates. Whether
what was responsible for this has been the inability to scout a candidate or
considerations based on sentiments is left for the reader to conjecture.
Anyway, I have gathered from sources, earlier on, that scouting was being done by
them, but as to whether it bored nought, I don’t know. The question still
remains; Why Serrekunda Central? What is the motive of the UDP in contesting
this particular seat given the important role that Halifa is playing in the
Assembly? Is there candidate more competent? Can that UDP win the seat? Is the
mission’ UDP cannot win but Halifa will not be allowed to win either’? Can
this move be claimed as good faith? All these are questions that beg for honest
answers.
Notwithstanding, I believe the UDP should not have contested the Serrekunda
Central seat and should have embraced the NADD’s call and engage in a
tactical alliance. This would have paid more dividend for them both in terms of
credibility and chances of winning seats. I think the Presidential election
should have been a lesson for them. For them to still harbour the illusion that
they can succeed by going it alone, especially given the present political
context in The Gambia, is self-deluding. The 2006 Presidential election is a case
in point. Where is the ‘majority’ that was bandied about by the UDP that
made them to pull out of the NADD conglomerate with the illusion that they will
win the election without the others. This is the ‘majority’ that one of my
sisters often refers to as “majority ming mang nafa soto” or “majority bu
amul barkeh”, meaning a so called strength that is not potent or lacks blessing.
The 2006 presidential poll is now history and what is left is to draw the
necessary lessons for the future. As for me, the NADD political project was the
best arrangement that suited our circumstances, as it was designed to herald
in a new order that will establish a truly democratic space for everyone. It
would have gone to enable every Gambian to be recognised or sanctified as
sovereign. Unfortunately, the prospects for the attainment of these lofty and
necessary goals were aborted mid-way by the clash of two differing and opposing
desires. It later became very clear that two strains constituted the NADD
leadership. One group was interested and committed to the cause of removing the
APRC regime and replacing it with a democratic dispensation where the
empowerment of the people, the rule of law, constitutionality, economic, political
and a predictably stable and social accountability order is in place or
prevail. The other group was only interested in a change of regime where the
status quo will be maintained with absolute power vested in a privileged
executive which is sustained by a non-politically enlightened, divided and
dis-empowered electorate. Hence it was the existence of and struggle between these two
irreconcilable interests that led to the eventual break-up of NADD which
shattered many peoples hopes for a new and democratic Gambia to be midwived by a
United Opposition Front.
The repercussions were: widespread voter apathy, President Jammeh re-elected
with a narrow escape, the two opposition presidential candidates from the
socalled ‘majority’ and socalled ‘minority’ parties both losing the election.
Infact, when one reviews the results with circumspection, one will not fail
to discover that President Jammeh is far from being popular and has just
narrowly escaped due to the opposition disunity which led to the large-scale
voter apathy. Again, the number of registered voters who did not vote are more
than those who cast their votes for Jammeh. Can one call this popularity?
Indeed, it is even the UDP that emerged to be the sole loser because of its
shrinking ‘fortunes’ or support in terms of votes. The UDP lost nearly 30% of its
votes whilst the combined UDP/NRP 40%. This is how much the disunity costs
the UDP/NRP.
Now, whether this will be repeated is left to the electorate. However what
is certain is that a critical National Assembly is very crucial in ensuring
that The Gambia continues to exist as a fledging democracy. This however cannot
be realized if the voters allow the APRC to again command a majority in the
Assembly. Again quoting my sister’s words of wisdom “Don’t give the person
the meat and also the knife, lest he cut a pound of flesh from a part of your
body that will send you straight to your grave.” Since President Jammeh is
mandated to serve for 5 years, a critical National Assembly composed of
competent, dignified, selfless and determined members should also be elected to
serve as an efficient oversight institution to prevent excesses, misrule impunity
and mismanagement by the executive.
Long Live The Gambian People
Long Live Democracy
Long Live The Gambia
O. S
A Concern Citizen
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