Hi!    
    I think many fail to realise that the decision as to whether PPP, NCP or GPP members stand for election is beyond the realm of Gambia-l. We can protest all we can and come up with a thousand reasons as to why they should not run for office but the reality on the ground is that the lifting of Decree 89 has replaced their constitutional rights to stand for public office as Gambians. I was never a supporter of the PPP. In fact, I dropped out of sixth form for a period of nearly a month due to the corruption of the PPP government. I attended Saints and did better in the O' Levels than people who took first in nearly all the other high schools etc. and was entitled to a scholarship but was denied it because I did not have the right connections. I saw how my classmates were given scholarships even though I had much better grades than them. My poor mum could not pay the high sixth form fees and I was forced to drop out of the sixth form. I started writing critical letters in the defunct Senegambia Sun and my case came to the attention of some three angelic Gambians who didn't even know who I was. They came together and took money from their own pockets and paid for my sixth form education. These saviours are Mrs. Isatou J. Ndure, Serigne Secka and the late John Sinyan. Left to the PPP government, I would have been another drop out through no fault of mine but through their corruption. I therefore have a reason to oppose the return of the PPP but it is not within my powers to do so. The Constitution has given them the right to stand in the election and I can protest till day turns to night but I will not be able to hinder their constitutional right to stand in the elections.
    We call for democracy here and accuse Jammeh of being a dictator but some of our pronouncements and positions suggest that we are not qualified to condemn Jammeh on democratic grounds. Democracy is not selective. Democracy is about according rightful rights to all no matter how much of a reason we have against according such. Many clamoured so long for the lifting of Decree 89. Now that it is lifted, it is beginning to sound like we are demanding that it be reimposed on the PPP. Whether we like it or not, the PPP is a force to reckon with in Gambian politics. The opposition can therefore either take advantage of it it or risk being disadvantaged by it. OJ for example, is truly a force to reckon with in Serrekunda East and even if he does not stand in the election, his campaigning alongside an opposition candidate will surely do more good than harm. Marginalising and abandoning him and other PPP members will result in their fielding candidates (as they have reconstructed the PPP and will by all indications be legally able to contest the elections no matter how many people are against it) and splitting the opposition vote. Let us therefore be objective and leave the emotions aside. That the PPP will win the October elections is in all probabilty not possible. That they can play a positive role in favour of the opposition is highly likely. I am a PDOIS supporter but that does not mean supporting the denial of the PPP its constitutional rights.
    I can understand the fear that a PPP government will drive revenge politics. This is a genuine fear which even resides at the back of my mind. However, this is at this point only speculation. We should not alienate the PPP as this will drive them further down this path. We should accomodate them and make it real clear to them that we will not tolerate such. In short, we should engage them. Thanks.
                                                                                                                            Buharry.

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