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Momodou
Denmark
11717 Posts |
 Posted - 19 Dec 2006 : 18:21:47
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Halifa Interviewed
National Assembly Elections, President’s Inauguration
Foroyaa: People are interested in knowing what development have taken place since you called for a tactical alliance between the opposition parties and with independent candidates.
Halifa: We have received seven requests so far from independent candidates for support. There is also indication that at least seven constituencies are requesting for a NADD candidate so far. The number is increasing as reports come steadily.
Investigation is still on.
Foroyaa: Have you met the UDP, NRP, GPDP Alliance?
Halifa: The GPDP had indicated its opinion on the need for a tactical alliance. I have been given the responsibility to contact Mr. Gomez to explore the possibility of collaboration before nomination day. However, the UDP and NRP leaders have not indicated positions supportive of a tactical alliance. In fact, one Lamin Fatty is already moving about as the UDP candidate for Serrekunda Central.
NADD, however, will maintain its position not to have a candidate anywhere we believe an opposition candidate or an independent candidate can win the seat.
Foroyaa: What is the position of NADD regarding the Jarra West seat?
Halifa: Kemeseng Jammeh is already a sitting member of National Assembly. Our target is to have as many critical voices in the National Assembly to ensure proper scrutiny of government policies, bills, international agreements and operations of departments of state. The Executive Committee of NADD is interested in securing Kemeseng’s seat regardless of whether he stands as a NADD candidate or on not. We have decided not to put up a candidate in Jarra West if Kemeseng were to stand as an independent candidate or that of another party.
Foroyaa: How many candidates does NADD intend to put up?
Halifa: Consultation is still going on.
Foroyaa: Will you have the funds?
Halifa: We are trying our best. We will give priority to the areas where we expect to have massive support.
Foroyaa: Have you decided to contest the Serrekunda Central seat?
Halifa: Consultation is still going on.
Foroyaa: What is the result of the consultation?
Halifa: That should be clear in the coming days. I am being very objective. I want to know the minds of the electorate.
Foroyaa: What do you think of the UDP candidate?
Halifa: Every Gambian who is qualified under the law has the right to seek the mandate of the people. I do not own the people. They own themselves. If they feel that somebody is in a better position to scrutinize the policies, bills, and international agreements tabled by the APRC and render services at the constituency level I am willing to go.
Foroyaa: You do not seem to be keen in retaining your seat.
Halifa: Representation is a service and not a career. Hence one should be keen in rendering service to those who want the service.
Foroyaa: Are you going to campaign?
Halifa: What members of parliament say are recorded in the publication of the National Assembly and the Pan African Parliament, known as Hansard. I will send people around for the voters to look at the level of my participation in both The Gambian and Pan African Parliament. It is the national radio and TV and Daily Observer which fails to give coverage to what I say in the National Assembly. If the media gave us coverage, it would not have been necessary for one to campaign. If I am indeed asked by our militants to stand I will be available to anyone who wants to hear what I have to say.
Foroyaa: What do you think about President Jammeh’s invitation for national reconciliation?
Halifa: The President swore to defend the constitution without fear or favour, affection or ill will. Kemeseng, Sidia and myself also took oath or made affirmation to defend the constitution without fear or favour, affection or ill will. We are all bound by oath and affirmation.
Take section 1 of the constitution as an example. It states that “The sovereignty of the Gambia resides in the people of The Gambia from whom all organs of government derive their authority, in whose name and for whose welfare and prosperity the powers of government are to be exercised in accordance with this Constitution.”
This simply means that we as representatives should ensure that the people do not live in poverty or survive under tyranny. In my view, the APRC government should order the release of all those who are detained without trial, restore the operation of the media houses that are closed down, promote respect for fundamental rights and freedom by law enforcement agents and the security forces and protect the security of tenure of public servants. Once the government takes initiative to facilitate the release of those who are detained without trial and order the protection of fundamental rights and freedom and creates the conducive environment for national dialogue to maintain a climate of peaceful coexistence among our people, the relation between the ruling party and the opposition would be based on the standard of best practice.
Foroyaa: What do you have to say to the people?
Halifa: The country belongs to each of us. Each has a role to play to make it a just, free and prosperous country. I hope that the people will realize the importance of the National Assembly and give the moral, material and monetary assistance necessary to ensure that we have competent National Assembly members who can represent the Gambian people at home and abroad. I have been representing the people at home and abroad and I will render thorough account of how I have represented them for their scrutiny in the coming days.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 113/2006, 18-19 December, 2006
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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