EDITORIAL

  We are concerned about reports, we received here at our news desk. The reports spoke of an alleged internal rift within the rank and file of Gambia's newest opposition coalition NADD. While,  we are not at liberty at this hour to make conclusions and judgements on this serious state of affairs, we thought it imperative to share the information,  we gathered with our esteemed readers. We have no malice or grudge whatsoever, against the NADD leadership, but as an independent online Newspaper, we cannot ignore such a news item, which in all fairness should be confirmed or denied by NADD.

  For the past few days, information had been going around within and outside The Gambia, about the alleged planned withdrawal of Lawyer Ousainou Darboe,  from NADD. Our informants are strong supporters of NADD and had even insisted that if the story is not published Darboe might go ahead with his plan. That NRP leader Hamat Bah,  was also on the same boat with Darboe and was likely to team up with Darboe to form their own coalition. We contacted an official of the NADD leadership yesterday to confirm the veracity of such reports, but the official  refrained from coming out public to comment on what he describes as "this serious state of affairs engulfing the NADD leadership. We are faced with a problem and we will not  be surprised if Darboe calls  it a day once again."  The official told us that the prolonged delay in naming a flag bearer for NADD,  was part of the leadership problem, as Darboe was all the time interested in heading the coalition this time around."

  The NADD leadership problem was first reported by the pro government Newspaper, the Daily Observer. Darboe, rubbishes the Observer story, saying that he will never part with NADD. But what is disturbing this time around is that, the news about  Darboe's planned withdrawal from NADD is coming from NADD supporters themselves. We received series of phone calls and email messages from concerned NADD supporters, informing  us about the said leadership problem confronting NADD.  While our sources preferred to remain anonymous, we as a Newspaper, will go all out to protect their identities.

  NADD supporters have all rights  to be concerned about the said leadership problem, in view of  the past failed proposed UDP, GPP, NCP and PPP coalition. Form some reasons best known to him Sheriff Mustapha Dibba, decided to walk away from the coalition meeting and later announces  his intention of withdrawing from the said coalition.  As stated earlier, we do not intend to pass any judgement on this serious state of affairs, but we want to make it abundantly clear that any attempt on the side of Darboe, Halifa, OJ, Hamat and Waa to part with NADD will cost our country darely. It would be suicidal for any of these people to betray the ongoing cause to effect democratic change in The Gambia, through a NADD led coalition.

  The issue of Mr.X or Y having strong following in The Gambia, is irrelevant at this hour. The NADD flag bearer selection process should be conducted in a fair and transparent manner. We are inline with others, who lamented about the unnecessary foot dragging on the side of the NADD leadership to name a flag bearer. It is time to name a flag bearer and set aside the  issue of greed and love for power. After all, Gambians are interested to see Yahya go and not to have another Yahya Jammeh, who is bent on imposing himself on Gambians.

  Mr.Darboe, himself cannot be reached for comments on this issue, when contacted, but sources close to him told us that the UDP leader,  had rejected to represent Halifa Sallah, after he Sallah, reportedly changed his mind to handle his case by his own. Sources hinted that Despite interventions made by veteran politician Assan Musa Camara for Darboe to reconsider representing Halifa, Darboe refused, citing Halifa's initial decision that he wanted to represent him self. The same source, also ruled out claims that Darboe wanted to quit NADD. "All we do know is that, he Darboe,  had been pressing the need for NADD to name a flag bearer at this hour. We also do know that Hamat Bah, is sharing the same view with Darboe. This is the situation.  If any one is telling you that Darboe, had plans to withdraw from  NADD is not telling you the truth. It is true that he turned down a request from Assan Musa Camara to represent Halifa Sallah."said a source close to Mr.Darboe.

  Despite the denials and counter denials, it is time for NADD to put their house in  good shape. The reports, we are hearing are not the least promising at all. Many Gambians living in diaspora, who spoke to this paper, had vowed that they will stop contributing their hard earned monies to support NADD, if the said alleged leadership issue is not resolved once and for all. They say they want to see a successful coalition and not a failed coalition. We expect NADD to be a role model in Africa, and not to follow the foot steps of other failed opposition mergers on the continent.

  Darboe and Co should be sensitive to the expectations of Gambians. There is growing need for change and we expect our political leaders to respond to the needs and aspirations of their followers, if they are truly committed to the democratic goals and principles. There is no room for turning back.  NADD should remain united and salvage our dear country from the current monster Yahya Jammeh.  Just a  thought.  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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