Musa,
That was a very good piece. I certainly believe that the APRC will win
against the opposition not because it is very disorganized, but was never
organized. And the APRC have succeeded in changing a lot of heart of those
who matters, the electorate. Sure the oppostion could probably become more
competetive with some organization but not as it is. The break away of
Juwara once again from another party speaks a volume. Jumping from one
opposition to another and continue to divide like cells, cannot be good for
the opposition. It certainly is good news to the APRC. And I must commend
the APRC for making that possible to ther advantage.
On what would happen if the leadership of the APRC changed, I have a sense
of feeling that it might be another PPP. Sometimes, I feel that it might be
in a different way. None of the parties are stronger without their leaders
and that has to do with how politcs is done.That is the art of politics.
Any non-leader who try to surface higher than the current leader shows some
weakness of that leader.And this goes to every party in this world. So it
might appear that the APRC might disintegrate without President Jammeh, but
someone might come after him who might even revive the party more than he
is doing.
The only party I feel might look the same with or without their present
leader in the Gambia is PDOIS. They have such a strong foundation which
could not grow beyond its borders. And I think this is why they are not
electable.
For OJ to take over as the party leader of the UDP will be the most
disastrous move that party could do. Leadership is to be proud but not
arrogant.
Ousman Jallow Bojang.
Original Message:
-----------------
From: Musa Jeng [log in to unmask]
Date: Sun, 10 Nov 2002 21:01:15 -0500
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: political punditry from a far
Political punditry from afar:
It is a reality to say that if elections were to be held today, more than
likely the APRC would win. This is not to imply that elections gone by were
free and fair, but with the unprepared ness of the opposition, the
incumbency status of the ruling party, and even the doom and gloom of the
economic situation will not tilt the election for the opposition. The
question becomes, what needs to be done by the different political parties
to get their house in order to become very competitive, and at the same
time to have a major positive impact in bringing about an entrenched
political system?
The major opposition party has suffered a set back, and as it is, it would
take a miracle for UDP to win with Darboe at the helm. What is also a
political reality, both UDP and what left of the PPP party has been engaged
in a tango dance that might have given them some advantages, but the union
is still seen as their commonality in their opposition to the APRC. Well,
maybe it is time to make it a political reality, and revisit the strength
of each party and make it one. In addition, by refocusing on each party’s
weaknesses would help in charting a new beginning for the alliance. The PPP
has always been Jawara’s party, the ex leader has become lot more of a
political liability, and the demography of the political landscape has
diminished any coattail from the ex-president. In fact most of the Gambian
electorate today were not born to remember the hey days of the PPP. For OJ
Jallow, a political stalwart that has gathered so much political capital
cannot afford to squander it, and should use it to establish hi
UDP has to make some total overhaul in order to remain competitive, and to
be able to pose any chance of winning the Presidency. A new UDP party with
OJ at the helm would bring the temporary tango dance to an end and would
definitely incorporate their resources and support base on a permanent
journey.
On the next political punditry from a far, I would attempt to illustrate
what radical move is there for PDOIS to expand its support base and be seen
as a party that can actually win elections and the presidency, and what
would Isatou Njie Saidy leadership to the APRC, instead of Yaya would do to
the APRC as we know it.
Thanks
Musa Jeng
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