The Point Published Tuesday, 04 April, 2000


 Sam Silla Is New UDP Leader


 .United Democratic Party (UDP) the main opposition party has named retired
Colonel Sam Silla (rtd) as the National President and new leader of the
party.

Retired Colonel Sam Silla, age 63, will be the UDP presidential candidate in
the October 2001 presidential election.

 Ousainou Darboe Secretary General of the United Democratic Party (UDP) made
the disclosure yesterday at a press conference held at the party
headquarters in Banjul. Darboe said that since the party's inception, in
1996, the party had not elected anyone to the position of Party President.

He further said that the constitution of the UDP provides for a National
President, and that it is not a new phenomenon in any political caucus,
since some call it chairman, while others call it president. Darboe said
that a party of the standing of the opposition UDP had to scout out for a
person who is well-suited for the position,  both intellectually and
morally.

 Darboe described Sam Silla as a well-known personality, a politician and a
retired military officer who earned his title (Colonel) on account of the
qualities and professionalism he exhibited, "but did not sit in an
air-conditioned office and decorate himself with the rank of a colonel."

 Darboe said that the UDP has enormous confidence in Sam Silla's integrity
and leadership qualities. He further said that the UDP believes that Mr.
Silla will lead the party to higher heights. Darboe noted that Sam Silla is
not a wavering president, and would answer any questions put to him
precisely.

In his remarks, the new National President of the UDP said he  was confident
of the cooperation of all and sundry, especially UDP members, and that the
opposition party will overcome the hurdles that lie ahead.

He enjoined all UDP members and supporters to conduct the party's affairs
with honour, and on the basis of truth and decency towards all Gambians
irrespective of their political affiliation or belief, noting that there is
so much one can learn from others.

 Silla pointed out that there is no good and bad political party in the
world, there are only good and bad political leaders. He cautioned that if
the UDP is to convince the Gambian people to support the opposition party,
all members must live by example.

 Silla said the party's mission statement should be to promote the politics
of ideas and not politics of insults etc. Silla said the UDP wanted to
portray the politics of ideas, and to change the lives of the Gambian people
for the better.

He added that the UDP will pursue its politics with dignity, maturity and
honesty.

"If the UDP cannot persuade the people of this country to support our
policies and ideas, then we certainly would not do it by coercion or by
aggressive arrogance," he declared.

 Silla further declared that the UDP pledges to reach out to every citizen
of this country, including those who have been sidelined and those who have
been disenfranchised.

Every Gambian citizen has a contribution to make for the collective good of
this country, the UDP leader said.

The UDP strongly subscribes to the principles of good governance in ensuring
the sanctity of life, property and the rule of law in the country as
enshrined in the  Constitution, he added.

The elderly, middle-aged and the youths deserve the UDP's respect, Silla
pointed out.

He noted that given a level playing field and free and fair elections, the
UDP will march into the future with confidence and give all Gambians a
government based on honour, truth and decency.

He expressed gratitude to the members of the media present, and noted that
the United Democratic Party (UDP) has a lot to say.

"To the members of the media, consider us a media-friendly party; you don't
need to write to us in order for us to give you an interview," the UDP
president declared.

Silla declared that he had decided to lead the UDP for the simple reason
that he finds the policies and programmes of the party very attractive.

The country will benefit enormously if the UDP is given the opportunity by
the Gambian people to carry out it's programmes and policies.

Retired Colonel Sam Silla was active in politics in the First Republic. A
retired soldier, he had a distinguished military career, serving in the
Nigerian army from 1965 to 1971.

Since 1992 he has worked for veterans as the National Chairman of the
Gambian Legion of British Commonwealth Ex-Servicemen's League.




Mori

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