Haruna, I am doing good. Good to hear from you too. I have read the
ideas that you share with me, and I find them useful. Find below my
response to some of yours.
-----Original Message-----
From: Haruna Darbo <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Wed, Jun 30, 2010 7:34 pm
Subject: Re: Foroyaa News:PDOIS PRESS RELEASE AFTER THE UDP CONGRESS
Rene, how are you? Good to hear you again. At least you have a
temporary release permit from the Big Dinko. From me. Haruna. Before
your permit expires, Let me share some ideas with you:
[--------Original Message----- From: rebadjan [log in to unmask] To:
GAMBIA-L <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wed, Jun 30, 2010 6:24 pm Subject: Re: Foroyaa News:PDOIS PRESS
RELEASE AFTER THE UDP CONGRESS
-----Original Message----- From: UDP United Kingdom
<[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask] Sent: Tue, Jun 29, 2010 10:01 pm
Subject: Re: Foroyaa News:PDOIS PRESS RELEASE AFTER THE UDP CONGRESS
"But hey! did you spot Ayatollah Sallah's gaffe? He said [ I
am paraphrasing] there is no party in the Gambia with more than 20,000
members. Does anyone seriously believe that?"] Rene, Paraphrasing
Daffeh.
[Is there a difference between a member of a party and a supporter of a
party? Most of the people who vote in Gambian elections are supporters
of the party they vote for, and may not necessarily be members of those
parties.] Rene.
(Rene, in Gambia, there is no difference between members of a party and
supporters of that party. Among diasporan Gambians that distinction is
more apparent. In effect, you are right that some people who vote for a
party in Gambia may not necessarily be members of the party or even
open supporters of that party for good spectacular reason. These are
semantics for Gambia. What Daffeh is alluding to is that Halifa cannot
know which party if any has 20,000, 30,000, 50,000, 10,000, or 100,000
members. To rely on such inutile analysis is sophomoric. Your statement
about voters for a party in Gambia, can be applied to voters in any
nation.)Haruna.
Haruna, a political party must have clear aims and objectives of what
it hopes to achieve. The members of the party are to articulate such
aims and objectives, so as to give the party a political direction. The
level of conviction and commitment to the ultimate aims and objectives
of the party, may be more robust for a member than for a supporter. So
there may be a little distinction in terms of responsibility and
obligation.
Moreover, the point I want to make is that if membership to a political
party is determine by criteria; those who willingly accept to meet
those criteria can therefore be said to members of that party. This is
different from supporters, who may not have the same inclination to
register (appy) for membership to those parties; pay the membership fee
and abide by the rules and regulations that govern the party. It is the
number to such registered (apply) members of such political parties
that the 20,000 figure infers.
You contend that Halifa cannot know which party, if any, has 20,000,
30,000 or so members. I would only say that Halifa is very deliberate,
and I will not be surprised if he comes up with an explanation of how
he arrives at that conclusion.
[In the US, for instance, people register their affiliation to a
political party by being either a democrat, republican or an
independent.] Rene.
(NO. That is inaccurate. In some parts of the US, folk register their
party affiliation. In other parts, folk do not register their party
affiliation. And if the US were a dictatorship where party registration
determines whether you are accorded your human rights, you will see no
one registering their party affiliation. The same is true for Canada,
Russia, Mali, Australia, Ghana, Senegal, and Kenya.)Haruna.
I concur. I went back and review the literature on the political system
in the US, particularly with respect to the Democractic party and the
Republican party, and learn that "the political parties in the US are
more loosely organized than in other countries." That the Democractic
party and the Republican party, have "no formal organization at the
national level that controls membership, actvities, or policy
positions. But there are states that do." "One can become a member of
either of the political parties by merely stating that fact."
So my statement with respect to political party affiliation in the US
is ill- conceived; the idea is far more elaborate than my statement
presume. I will go back and understand the literature more.
[In the Gambia people do not register their affiliations to a poltical
party.] Rene.
(And for good reason. Whatever the case, it is individual decision to
register affiliation or not to register affiliation. It is not decreed
by law of any nation that citizens must register their party
affiliation. If you were in Gambia, would you register your membership
to PDOIS? That is if you are not a member of the Central Committee or
Politburo. Just an ordinary member. I think Halifa is confusing
executive and other committee membership with general membership. He
needs to make that clear. And you need to adjust your postulations
about the folk of US.)Haruna.
Only, if I have to run for political office would party affiliation
become somewhat formal. I would register my membership to PDOIS if I
want to run for political office in the name of PDOIS. I have
reconsidered my earlier remark about party affiliation in the US given
what I know now.
[They register to obtain a voters card. And may or may not be members
of a political party.] Rene.
This is what happens in all nations which hold elections for one reason
or the other. And the reason is you register so you can be issued a
voter's card. The registration itself is conducted to ascertain your
eligibility to vote and to reduce electoral fraud. It is not to
determine which party you are affiliated with. I think
requiring registration for party affiliation is a communist idea. Why
would you not acknowledge that someone can change his or her mind on
the day of election. Why would you jail them to vote for a party? There
is no point in registering one's party affiliation. if that is so, you
do not need to conduct elections. Why waste the resources when you can
simply count those registrations for the appropriate party on election
day??????????"Haruna.
Point well taken. Since I made the postulation based on a faulty
reasoning. "In some states, a voter can register as a member of one or
another party, and vote in the primary elections of one or another
party. Such participation does not restrict one's choices in any way."
[That is why it is difficult to quantify the support base of a
political party in the Gambia.] Rene.
(NO no no no no. There you go again. You erroneously establish
registration for party affiliation as a standard, then you draw
conclusions based on that standard. I know there will be nothing PDOIS
would want more than to compel folk to register their party
affiliation. You can probably do it when I leave you here to play with
folk's lives. It ain't gonna happen as long as I'm alive. On my dead
body.)
Ok, Haruna. Don't prosecute PDOIS for what is clearly my own ill
conceived notion. Nobody is going to force anybody to do what they
don't want to do.
[Whereas affilation to a political party is govern by principles
in places like the US;] Rene.
You PDOISards are so funny. What principles is party affiliation
governed by the US RENE??????????????????????????????? Voting and party
support in the US is based on the same principles and values as it is
everywhere in the world. I think these temporary permits out of the Big
Dinko is good for you. Talk to Americans around you. They'll let you
know.
[in the Gambia affiliation to a political party is more nuanced.] Rene.
All principles are nuanced Rene. This is because they are individual
principles. There is not a set set of principles in the US or anywhere
in the world upon which any voter is mandated to base their electoral
calculus. You don't understand do you? What state in the US do you live
in Rene?
[It could be motivated by any given factor.] Rene.
YES. For anyone anywhere in the world. It is based on conditions on the
ground. Just like our pulling out of Afghanistan.
[This is the reason why some political analyst give reference to
patronage, inducement, ethnicity and other shared common linkages as
factors that can influence the support base for a political party.]
Rene.
(And do you see anyone paying those idiots for their analysis? You get
what you pay for. Analysts are a dime a dozen. And let me share a
secret with you Rene. Don't pay any analyst who tells you folk vote for
or support parties in Gambia based on patronnage, inducement,
ethnicity, and other shared common linkages. You know why? Its because
these are reasons folk cast their votes everywhere and besides, you
cannot force anyone to change their electoral calculus and have it free
and fair. Men. You PDOISards have a warped sense of the world in which
you live. No wonder you're in a Big Dinko.)Haruna.
Haruna, what then is the basis of supporting a political party in the
Gambia? Do people support political parties base on their programs? Do
they support political parties base on their policies? Do they support
political parties base on their ideas?
We have to recognize that our societies are continually in a state of
conflict. More so, when it is govern by diverse interest. This is the
reason we have different political parties. This is the reason we have
groups that emerge and compete against each other. We all want to
promote and sustain the interest of whatever we represent. However,
with a democractic system organized around a sound constitutional
arrangement, with checks and balances, institutions and structures that
promote the health and welfare of the people, all these conflicts can
be managed to the betterment of everyone.
I completely agree with you about whatever electoral calculus people
have in winning an election, but I do hope that it will be under an
environment that promotes the rule of law; that respects the sanctity
of human life and the dignity of the human being. And environment that
celebrates freedom of expression, and all the other freedoms, as long
as it is not injurious to the state and other people.
[It is therefore not outside the realm of possibilties, that you will
find a political party that does not have 20,000 registered members,
who are bind by the constitution and the rules and regulations that
govern the party.] Rene.
Realm of possibilities???? Duh!!!! Registered members???????? I don't
see the word Registered in Mr. Daffeh's quote. And even if that is what
Halifa meant, which other party requires all citizens who would vote
for them to register as members???????????? I don't understand. I
encourage PDOIS to dispense with the idea of requiring their supporters
and past voters to register as members of the party. You are
effectively imprisoning the mind? How do you know the voter will not
want to change his/her mind a minute after such registration. Please
don't hold our people hostage to dictatorship and communism. What?????
This is why I advised Daffeh Gambians should leave PDOISards in their
Big Dinko for a while longer. Because even when we go near the Dinko to
give them a hand up, they want to pull us in with them. What????????????
Haruna, you have to understand that political parties are formed by
individuals who want to represent their interest, as well as the
interest of others. Everyone has the right to represent and to be
represented by others. But we all have the choice either to accept that
representation or to seek it elsewhere. This is why we have choices.
And we can choose among the political parties that come before us and
look at their programs and policies and make inform choices. Or even
bad choices. But then every five years when we have elections we can
correct whatever bad choices we made the last time. We just have to
work on having a conducive environement and a political temperament
that accepts dissenting views. How I long to see in the street corners
of Banjul and other metropolitan capitals in the Gambia, what I see in
the street corners of Manhattan and elsewhere, of people venting their
anger and frustration with loud speakers for all to hear. At the end
of the day they will pack all their paraphernalia and head quietly
home.
You make an interesting observation about party requirements for
registration of membership. How is it going to work? To just declare
your membership of a party and then wait patiently to vote.
Thanks for the good ideas. And thanks for the company too.
Rene
I encourage you guys to speak some more. We don't want to get surprised
by your schemin'. Registered members!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wolla Allah!!!!
Haruna.
I find that statement quite pathetic. May be that is just another
typical PDOIS hyperbole. The guys now sounds like a complete tosser. No
wonder the other parties are taking no notice.
Regards
Daffeh
On 30/06/2010, Haruna Darbo <[log in to unmask]> wrote: Mr.
Daffeh, to butress your point in PDOIS' arrogance and haughty
disposition, and before Caesar get ahold of your notes, the reason why
PDOIS is not naturally capable of negotiation or considering any other
point of view can be traced to PDOIS' origins. PDOIS began as an
instrument of "Re-education" for a people they view as savage,
illiterate, and unconditioned. In other words instead of accepting that
their fellow Gambians have a right to Free choice, expression, and
association for industry and worship, PDOIS asserts that a sovereign
must have a base level of consciousness and or "education" before these
sacrosanct divine rights can be appreciated. So PDOIS has assigned
itself the duty to conduct that re-education and conscience-building in
order to make the Gambian people ready to receive their God-given
rights. Well I want PDOIS to know something: We are not fully
edumacated yet. I should think we will be ready in 2050. Forget
Agenda-2011. We want Agenda-2050.
With Love from Haruna. And Badou I'm not paranoid or angry. I'm pissed.
-----Original Message-----
From: UDP United Kingdom <[log in to unmask]>
To: GAMBIA-L <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tue, Jun 29, 2010 6:28 pm
Subject: Re: Foroyaa News:PDOIS PRESS RELEASE AFTER THE UDP CONGRESS
''In the spirit of compromise, will the UDP consider a united front led
by your party leader on the above premise? With your party's numerical
strength, I don't see any down side to such an arrangement. Is there?
At the end of the purported five years, you should cruise to victory in
a free and fair elections. No? ''
Ousman, thanks for your observation above.However, its looks like this
is not even a starter as PDOIS would not even entertain any discussion
that tend to suggest a UDP led allaince.In 2006, the UDP invited
NADD's flag bearer for talks regarding the possible inclusion of NADD
into the UDP led allaince but this was outrightly rejected. Halifa is
on records saying any such thing will amount to helping somebody to
become an elite. So it is clear these people's ego and arrogance will
never allow them to reason with anybody. That is why when we talk
about a coaliton of opposition parties, it is better we don't talk
about PDOIS. I personally don't want them there and I certainly don't
want them to be talked to. These people will never entertain anything
that is not their creation and unfortunately, theirs' are always alien
to our planet. For Example, where on earth did you ever heard a
coalition of independant soveriegn parties contesting a primary to
choose a candidate? You tell them that; they would say oh no agenda
2011 is not partisan. If it is not partisan why calling on parties to
endorse it?
We all have Agenda 2011 in our own rights. They just happen to be
different. My understanding from OJ's Freedom Newspaper Radio interview
is that this Agenda 2011 being talked about by PDOIS is Halifa
Sallah's agenda for the year 2011. So it must be left to him for he is
entitled to have an agenda of his own.
I will not talk about some of the grotesque statements made in the
PDOIS Press Release for there is a lot in store for that but can I say
one thing;other than reference to the constituent parties of
NADD, there is no single mention of the word 'party' in the MOU that
establishes NADD.
Kind regards
Daffeh
On 29/06/2010, Ousman Ceesay <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
Suntou,Politics is the art of compromise. I understand the numerical
strength of the UDP in comparison to their siblings in the opposition
going by the results of past elections. However, reading through the
Foroyaa editorial posted by Nyang, I am intrigued by the following:
"Hence PDOIS favours the creation of a transitional administration
after the APRC government that would last for a period of 2 to 5 years".
In the spirit of compromise, will the UDP consider a united front led
by your party leader on the above premise? With your party's numerical
strength, I don't see any down side to such an arrangement. Is there?
At the end of the purported five years, you should cruise to victory in
a free and fair elections. No?
The only sticking point in the editorial is the issue of primaries.
Intra-party primaries are prevalent, but inter party primary isn't
going to wash. However, I think PDOIS is pragmatic enough to let that
slide if the transition government arrangement is agreed to by the UDP.
How about giving it a try guys? Hon. Sidia Jatta is the liaison for
PDOIS outreach. Who is the liaison for the UDP, NRP? Intransigence and
ideological purity will not win at the end of the day, but pragmatism
will.
http://gambian.blogspot.com
From: suntou touray <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Tue, June 29, 2010 7:18:28 AM
Subject: Re: Foroyaa News:PDOIS PRESS RELEASE AFTER THE UDP CONGRESS
Indeed Haruna, no change there. Unbelievable stuff. Unity, what unity?
Blame the big fish...It will work
No comments...
Suntou
On Tue, Jun 29, 2010 at 4:40 AM, Haruna Darbo
<[log in to unmask]> wrote:
Oh brother.
Haruna.
-----Original Message-----
From: Modou Nyang <[log in to unmask]>
To: GAMBIA-L <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Mon, Jun 28, 2010 10:59 pm
Subject: Foroyaa News:PDOIS PRESS RELEASE AFTER THE UDP CONGRESS
PDOIS PRESS RELEASE AFTER THE UDP CONGRESS
By Mamadou Dem on 28-06-10 (127 reads) News by the same author
We publish below the full text of the press release of the People’s
Democratic Organisation for Independence and Socialism (PDOIS) which
was read by its Secretary General, Halifa Sallah, at a press conference
held at the People’s Centre on Saturday, 26 June 2010:
The people of the Gambia are facing the most decisive period of our
history. They are at a cross roads. The moment of decision is just
around the corner. In 2011 they will have the power to determine who
will manage the affairs of the country. They have the option to give a
fresh mandate to the person in office or elect an alternative leader
from the ranks of the opposition. The voter’s card is an instrument
for
putting, maintaining or removing a representative in office. What the
voter thinks should be the concern of those who wish to seek their
votes to become public trustees. What the political parties and
personalities think should be the concern of every voter. Winning or
losing an election could be determined by the vote of a single voter.
Hence each vote is significant enough to determine who or who will not
be the president of a country or a representative at a particular
level. Each voter is as significant as the person who is elected
through the combined votes to preside over the affairs of a Nation. The
begotten leader cannot be more important than the voter who makes him
or her a leader. Power therefore belongs to the voters. It is only
entrusted to leaders to serve the interest of the people. Once that
power is abused trust is broken and the people have the authority to
demand for or take back their power and entrust it to any one who could
earn their trust. The challenge of political leadership is how to earn
the trust and confidence of the voters. This is the challenge that all
political parties and leaders must face. They cannot survive without
being equal to the challenge.
This is why political parties hold congresses and issue Press Releases
for people to have the information they need to decide which party and
leaders could best serve their interest.2010 is the year of Congresses
and demand by the grass roots for Internal Party Democracy in the
Gambia. Two Opposition parties, PDOIS and the UDP have held their
Congresses. The rest are expected to hold their own in due course. What
does the future hold for the electorate is of fundamental importance?
This is why PDOIS sees the need to clear some doubts and help the voter
to know where we are to go from here.
PDOIS aims to reiterate again that it could function as a normal party
within a multi party system that seeks the mandate of the people on the
basis of its principles, policies, programmes and practices. Few people
would disagree that PDOIS has a leadership that has the knowledge and
honesty and is capable of making the supreme sacrifice necessary to
promote the liberty and prosperity of the Gambian people. PDOIS is
however realistic. It is fully aware that the Gambian voters are yet to
reach a level of political consciousness that they rely on to vote on
the basis of Principles, policies and programmes and practices.
PDOIS is also conscious that the creation of a genuine multi party
system that allows free flow of divergent views on the media will
enable PDOIS to participate in battle to win the hearts and minds of
the people and contest for votes on the basis of its principles
policies and programmes. PDOIS has always been convinced that if coup
makers could concede to a two year time table in order to restore a
constitutional and electoral system which promotes self perpetuating
rule the opposition forces could also agree to a transition programme
to build a genuine multi party system founded on a Genuine Republican
Constitution and a free and fair voting system that would give rise to
the undiluted choice of the people.
Hence PDOIS favours the creation of a transitional administration
after the APRC government that would last for a period of 2 to 5 years.
The PDOIS Congress has mandated the Central Committee to mandate Sidia
Jatta, NADD National Assembly Member, to be responsible for inter party
relations. All those who wish to discuss relation between political
parties should contact Sidia Jatta.
PDOIS is interested in ensuring that the sovereign Gambian people take
full charge of their destiny by 2011.
PDOIS is conscious of the fact that during all the nominations for
Presidential elections since 1997, no Presidential Candidate has ever
had one’s nomination forms signed by more than 20,000 people. This
confirms that no party in the Gambia has more than 20,000 card carrying
members. This means that most of the 670,336 registered voters are not
members of political parties. This is why they shift their political
loyalties from one political party to another with relative ease. There
are no ideological blocs among the electorate. The country has never
had the opportunity to have a citizenry who vote on the basis of the
principles, policies, programmes and practices of parties. This is why
the country needs a new start that will enable all political parties to
have a level ground to contest free and fair elections. At the moment
the ground is not level or plain and each opposition party will have an
uphill battle to wage to win an elections. This is why PDOIS is of the
view that a platform should be created that will enable the Gambian
electorate to come together to vote for the change we want and need, in
order to build the genuine democratic system, that ensures that their
consent will determine their manner of government.
This is why the PDOIS Congress of 24th April 2010 has passed a
resolution which imposes on the PDOIS leadership the decision to
promote the selection of an opposition Presidential Candidate through a
primary. In short, all those who wish to stand against the APRC
candidate, be they members of political parties or independent
personalities, would accept to face each other at a primary and would
mutually vow to support the single candidature of the winner. The
winner will also agree to administer a transitional Cabinet for a
period of two to five years and build the instruments, institutions and
culture of democracy, rights and justice that would culminate in the
creation of an open and free society that would allow a genuine multi
party system to thrive. The winner will not carry out any witch hunting
of members of the past and present administration but would allow the
courts to function and grievances be pursued through the courts or
alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. All institutions, private or
public which are legally established will be protected throughout the
transition. Cabinet would be constituted through consultation with all
stakeholders This is what Agenda 2011 is all about.
PDOIS’ Congress called on all parties to hold Congresses and consider
what is offered by agenda 2011 so that all parties will utilise their
own platform to promote the determination of an opposition Candidate
through a primary and prepare themselves for future multiparty contest
after the transition.
The Central Committee of PDOIS takes this opportunity to reiterate
PDOIS’ stand. It wants its supporters in particular and all those
Gambian people who value their sovereignty to know that the only
transformation that is possible in 2011 is one that could attract the
support of the 405,932000 voters who did not vote for President Jammeh
in 2006.and the 542,o55 voters who did not vote for the opposition
Most of these people are likely to become involved if they know that
they are going to be mandated to select a candidate who will accept to
serve for one term to put a genuine multiparty system in place and
leave office like Nelson Mandela. As far as PDOIS is concerned, this
transitional Candidate will not have to be a PDOIS leader. He or she
could originate from another party or civil society. He or She could be
any body selected by the people through a primary.
Secondly, the PDOIS Congress resolves that PDOIS maintains its relation
with NADD until the next Presidential and National Assembly elections.
Sidia Jatta has started consultation with our other partner in NADD.
They had agreed to wait for the outcome of the UDP Congress to complete
their discussion. PDOIS anticipates that its partner in NADD would hold
a Congress and embrace Agenda 2011 so that NADD would also embrace
Agenda 2011. Notwithstanding the Central Committee has resolved to hold
a PDOIS rally in support of Agenda 2011 on the 31st of July 2010 at
LatriKunda Yerri Nganya, adjacent to the mosque where PDOIS held its
first rally in 1986.
PDOIS DISAGREMENT WITH UDP AND NRP
PDOIS wrote to UDP before its Congress to indicate to them that the
party was waiting for the resolution of the UDP Congress on inter party
unity in order to know what form of Alliance could be forged for
2011.
The UDP leader, in his address to the Congress indicated that the
registration of NADD was a disaster. PDOIS would want its supporters in
particular and all those interested in Gambian politics in general to
know that the registration of NADD was Constitutional requirement. No
candidate could contest under NADD without its registration as a
political party. PDOIS advances a challenge to any leader who disagrees
with this view. Hence those who did not support the registration of
NADD should not have signed the Memorandum of Understanding
establishing NADD.
In short , under the strategic objectives of the Memorandum, Parties
“agreed to put together resources within the framework of the Alliance
to contest the forthcoming Presidential, National Assembly and Council
elections” It adds that “The selection of the candidate of the
Alliance for the Presidential, National Assembly and Council elections
shall be done by consensus, provided that in the event of an impasse
selection shall be done by primary election restricted to party
delegates, on the basis of equal number of delegates, comprising the
Chairman, Chairwoman and youth leader of each party from each village
or ward in a constituency”
In terms of the tenure of office, the memorandum states that “The
interim President of the Republic under the Alliance shall serve for
one five year term of office only. He/she shall vacate his or her seat
at the end of his or her term of office and shall neither seek nor
support the candidature of any other person for the ensuing
presidential elections.
A constitutional provision shall be put in place under the Alliance
that would limit the number of terms a person could occupy the office
of president of the Republic to two.” Hence all parties which signed
the Memorandum agreed to put up Candidates under a NADD ticket. This is
incontrovertible. Now one may ask: Could a candidate stand on a NADD
ticket without NADD being registered as a Party? The answer is in the
negative. It is obvious to any one who has read section 60 of the
Constitution that we could not put up Candidates under NADD until NADD
was registered as a party. It reads “ No association , other than a
political party registered under or pursuant of an Act of the National
Assembly, shall sponsor Candidates in public elections” NADD had to be
registered. Did we have to lose National Assembly seats because of the
Registration? The answer is in the Negative.
Section 91 subsection 1 d of the Constitution states that
“a member of the National Assembly shall vacate his or her seat in the
National Assembly-if he or she ceases to be a member of the political
party of which he or she was a member at the time of his or her
election;
provided that nothing in this paragraph shall appy on a merger of
political parties at the national level where such a merger is
authorised by the Constitution of the parties concerned.”
The simple and elementary truth is that all parties that had agreed to
put up Candidates under NADD had merged into NADD. The IEC also
conceived NADD as an Umbrella party, a merger. They argued their case
in that regard and even told the court that they had drafted the rules
governing Alliances. The disaster is that NADD’S Counsels did not use
merger of parties as a defence to save National Assembly seats. The
registration of NADD was not an error. The only legal advice that was
legitimate was to tell parties that they were creating a merger by
signing the memorandum of understanding. Hence those who did not want
a merger should not have signed. The error was to fail to get every
party to sign to indicate in black and white that they conceived NADD
as an umbrella Party or merger or resin from NADD before the court
case. No room would have been left for historical excuses that are so
evident after NADD’s disintegration.
Secondly, in his address to the UDP Congress the NRP leader claimed
that he left NADD because other parties did not believe in his
principle of allowing the party with the majority to lead. This claim
is incorrect.
The NRP signed a memorandum which indicated that the selection of
Candidates would be done through a unanimous vote of executive members
or a primary. It goes without saying that during the first attempt to
select a candidate in accordance with the principle of unanimity, it
is Dulo Bah, the representative of the NRP who nominated a
representative of the PPP and Pa Manneh , a representative of NDAM who
seconded the nomination of the representative of the PPP. This
compelled UDP and PDOIS representatives to make their own nominations
and thereby created an impasse. It was the Coordinator who explained
that the Executive Committee only had the power to select a candidate
if their decision is unanimous, otherwise election would have to take
place in the form of a primary to enable the people to select the flag
bearer. At no time did the NRP leader denounce Dulo Bah and state a
party position for the selection of the flagbearer.Infact when the
delegates met to try to make a second attempt to reach unanimity by
establishing some criteria to guide the nomination process the NRP
leader never advocated for the selection a majority party leader as a
criterion. Through out the history of NADD, the NRP leader had never
proposed for an Amendment of the memorandum to incorporate what he
called his principle. Such attempts to rewrite history only undermine
mutual trust between opposition leaders fans polemics and draws
attention away from the ruling party and focus it on the squabbles
among the opposition. PDOIS hopes that leaders would realise that any
refusal to accept the facts will push us to propagate fiction which
will not lead us to draw appropriate lessons to move forward.
Conclusion
To conclude PDOIS would want the people to recall that Gambia has been
led by 2 Heads of state for the past 45 years. In the next 15 years
those who were born in 1965 will be 60 years.It is clear that unless we
break the current trend of self perpetuating rule two heads of state
will lead the Gambia for 60 years.
As we face another election cycle it is the duty of every sovereign
Gambian
who is 18 years old and above to reflect on the state of the Gambia
after 45 years of Nationhood and ask whether this is the same Gambia,
with its growing poverty, redundancies, growth of drug lords and
contraction of liberty that should continue to be up to the year 2020
and beyond. It is now time for each Gambian to sit and reflect on the
type of Gambia one wants to be a citizen of and the role one is to play
in shaping the destiny of one’s country and people. This is the
challenge of 2011.Are we up to the challenge. History the keen recorder
of events has its eyes and ears open. The future will tell the story.
Our children and children’s children will be the judge.
The End
Issued by The Central Committee of PDOIS
Delivered by Halifa Sallah – Spokesperson of PDOIS
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