The Independent Published Friday, February 8, 2002

NCP is far from dead Gibou Jagne tells skeptics

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In response to fears that the National Convention Party was being compromised and possibly rendered defunct following its alliance with the ruling APRC, one of the party’s top guns has said that the NCP would always be up and running as a political force in The Gambia. Gibou M. Jagne a veteran NCP politician said the alliance with the ruling party would not in any way reduce or destroy the party, which he maintained has a better future than other political parties in The Gambia. Mr. Jagne who had contested under the name of the United Democratic Party for the Serrekunda West constituency argued that the NCP’s alliance with the ruling APRC should not be misinterpreted as a move that would render it defunct. He said the move was made after what he called a thorough appraisal of the situation, which left NCP grandees assured that an alliance with the APRC would put the party in better stead. In response to criticisms that the party leadership had identified with the ruling party to jockey for political or executive positions, Gibou Jagne emphasised that the alliance was spurred by concern for the national interest. “Our alliance with the APRC has nothing to do with our personal considerations. It was basically for nothing else but the national interest. We still exist as a political party” he said. On party leader Sherrif Dibba’s appointment as Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr. Jagne said it was “the right idea at the right time because it gives chance to Dibba to prove himself as a man with a good purpose”. Mr. Jagne also pointed out that the appointment of Honourable Dibba who had contested for the presidency has also proven abundantly President Jammeh’s sincerity as an advocate for reconciliation and his interest in the participation of competent and experienced individuals in the national development drive. Mr. Jagne argued that although some may prefer Sherrif Dibba as a retired elder statesman or an adviser to the president his role as Speaker of the National Assembly is the best place where he could serve the country. He said matter-of-factly that it was not the intention of the party and Sherrif Dibba to occupy any position in the government. “But as people who want the development of this country, there was the need for him to accept it”. Mr. Jagne further pointed out that, their long silence in the course of the transition was because the party’s bosses have been engrossed in assessing the situation as it unfolded and climaxed. “We are very responsible and so nothing can put us under pressure to make pronouncements we never intended. We have to come out with constructive statements to the public” he said. On the NCP popularity he said his party strikes an agreeable with many Gambians today because of its leadership’s stance for peace and stability, when as the most populous opposition organisation in the first republic they could have challenged the coup. Mr. Jagne recounted how during the 1982 parliament election both he and Sherrif M. Dibba were arrested and imprisoned. He said although they were under lock and key their supporters nominated them and campaigned for them to win and regain their seats. Mr. Jagne also told critics not to pass hasty judgment on Sheriff Dibba but should rather analyze his reaction to President Jammeh’s call in front of diplomats and other African presidents to be forgiven for past wrongs and for The Gambia to turn a new leaf of reconciliation. “The NCP have forgiven him, he has forgiven us. What is left now is to work together for national development” he posited.