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Momodou
Denmark
11829 Posts |
 Posted - 25 May 2006 : 14:54:15
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Editorial
OPPOSITION UNITY
The Clarion Call of The Masses
The results of the Kombo East by election have shaken the whole political foundation of the country. Uncertainty has gripped the APRC camp as it has failed to win an absolute majority in a constituency they had control over for the past nine years. They realise that they were able to cling on to the seat only because of the wrong tactics and division of the opposition. This is the key development that should be noted.
On the other hand, the opposition also received a warning from the people. Even though they received the majority of the popular vote the people are alarmed by the consequences of disunity. The voter apathy is also a cause for concern among the ranks of the opposition. To put an end to the division of the opposition the people have been calling for NADD and UDP/NRP Alliance to sit down and come to terms.
It is important for the people to speak to the NADD and UDP/NRP leadership from a position of strength so that they are obeyed. First and foremost, those who claim that they will burn their cards if the two alliances fail to cooperate should know that they are playing into the hands of the APRC. No Gambian should ever threaten to be voiceless and powerless if those they are to entrust with their power are not united. In short, the voters card is the power and voice of the Gambian. So burning the card is to destroy one’s right to have a say on how the country is to be managed.
Furthermore, the poor Gambians do not have the power of money or status to influence the situation in the Gambia in their interest. They have their vote and capacity to organise to bring about change. The Yahya Jammehs, Ousainou Darboes and Halifa Sallahs come and go. They enjoy status in society. Burning our voters’ cards will not deprive them of status. Hence only an unenlightened Gambian will destroy his/her own power because of the failure of others to behave as he/she wishes.
Before NADD was formed the supporters of the various parties in the URD formed an inter-party committee and sent word that they did not want any single party to go and campaign in their area; that they would support any candidate that was collectively selected. Does this status quo still remain? Has this spirit of alliance among supporters not been destroyed by the pull out of UDP and NRP?
How is this spirit to be restored? Can Halifa or Ousainou earn the confidence of all the supporters of the opposition and supporters of the APRC or will it require the selection of a new compromise candidate?
What is necessary now is not only to call for unity but to make concrete proposals on how such unity is to be effected. Can Halifa Sallah abandon NADD and join the UDP/NRP Alliance as some UDP/NRP members are calling for and still retain his seat in the National Assembly? Will the members of the UDP/NRP Alliance be willing to become part of NADD again and renegotiate the terms of candidature? Will NADD and UDP/NRP Alliance form another loose alliance and select a flag bearer for such a loose alliance? If such an alliance were to be formed what would be the programme for such an alliance? Will it be the same NADD programme? Will the candidate stand in the name of such an alliance when the constitution states that only a registered party can sponsor a candidate to an election? Foroyaa is willing to publish the views of all those who have concrete proposals to give.
However, the people should bear in mind that they are the final decision makers. They should follow all the programmes and positions of the different political forces, support them if they unite and oppose any one of them that fails to give convincing explanation for its own activities. It is either the unity of the leaders or unity of their grass root supporters around a force that is capable of bringing about change for the better.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No.39/2006, 22-24 May, 2006
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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