 |
|
| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
Momodou
Denmark
11609 Posts |
 Posted - 13 Dec 2010 : 18:04:32
|
Dailynews Editorial: The Release of Femi Peters and the Political Landscape
Monday, December 13, 2010
 The release of the UDP campaign manager Femi Peters came at a time when his colleagues in the opposition are busy with talks of how to form an opposition alliance.
Femi’s release was not a pardon. He has finished serving his sentence in prison.
His imprison was based on being accused of violating the Public Order Act - control of procession and use of loud speakers in public without permission from the Office of the Inspector General of Police which landed him in prison when he was convicted and sentenced to a mandatory jail term on 1 April 2010 and ordered to pay a fine of D10, 000($300).
Femi as campaign manager is a member of the UDP executive and his party has a right to be issued a permit to be able to conduct a political meeting. This rough political landscape indicates that "all politicians are equal but some are more equal than others." The unequal treatment of parties in that aspect is a characteristic of the Napoleon government in Animal Farm authored by George Orwell, where "all animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others."
Peters was described as a prisoner of conscience by an international human rights watchdog. He was suffering from malaria and was at the same time diabetic. His son and many of his sympathizers organised demonstrations and wrote letters and articles to protest against his conviction as a citizen who was exercising his political right.
We learnt that an inter-party meeting was held to work on the release of Femi Peters but it never materialized. The case of Femi should be a big lesson for the opposition in The Gambia. They should try to have serious dialogue with the authorities on the issue of fair treatment in the issuance of permits to political parties.
During his trial there were evidences that the ruling party has never been stopped from holding a rally due to denial of permit.
The government of the day should also understand that misuse and abuse of power is not the solution in tackling one’s opponent. The Gambia is a multiparty democracy by constitution, but can only be actualized if the government takes the lead to be very law abiding for others to emulate them in their compliance.
Being in opposition does not mean enmity. Different parties have their own principles, ideologies and so on and so forth. This is why all parties have their own manifestoes and constitutions and their acronyms always depict what they stand for.
The leadership needs to be tolerant and the opposition should be very consistent in their drive to sell their ideas, which is not possible without a level political landscape. There should be no antagonism, all parties should concentrate on their programmes for the citizens to choose which party’s ideas and programmes are more appealing to their aspirations of developing the country.
But politics of witch hunting and the launching of smear campaign against each other cannot build a better Gambia for us. We are with the believe that if the government bows down to tolerance the opposition will also have a way to constructively dialogue with them on developmental issues and regarding the political atmosphere of the nation. The politics mouse-rat relation is never the way forward for a conducive political atmosphere. As politics is the vessel through which citizens serve their societies for futuristic achievements to become great nations. It is about time we think of building strong and great institutions for a great nation than creating great men and women who would die and leave their nation in inferior condition, in terms of development.
Positive political development needs positive thinking, not antagonism and witch hunting.
We have circles of elections to be held in 2011 and beyond, so it is important to note that we are a sovereign people in a sovereign nation with a sacred responsibility to work towards making these elections a people-centred matter, so that The Gambia can be democratised in accordance with best practices and standards.
Source: Dailynews
|
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
|
|
Momodou
Denmark
11609 Posts |
Posted - 13 Dec 2010 : 18:13:53
|
Femi Peters out from prison
By Sainey M.K. Marenah
Monday, December 13, 2010
According to information reaching The Point, Femi Peters, the jailed campaign manager of the main opposition United Democratic Party (UDP), was freed from jail on Friday, 10 December 2010, after serving a prison term of one year.
Mr Peters was jailed by the Kanifing Magistrates' Court to serve one-year in prison, and ordered by the court to immediately pay D10,000, after being found guilty of two count charges of procession and use of loud speaker without permit from the office of the Inspector-General of Police.
When contacted yesterday, the leader of the UDP, Ousainou Darboe, confirmed the story to The Point, saying: "Yes, Femi has completed his jail term of one year and was freed on Friday, 10 December 2010."
Readers would recall that Femi Peters was arrested by the police on October 2010 after he was accused of holding a political rally without a permit from the Inspector-General of Police.
He was subsequently arraigned at the Banjul Magistrates' Court, where his counsel, Ousainou Darboe, challenged the jurisdiction of the court, which was later transferred to the Kanifing Magistrates' Court where he was convicted.
His counsel, Ousainou Darboe, filed an appeal at the High Court in Banjul before Justice Emmanuel Amadi.
On Friday, 6 August 2010, the High Court in Banjul presided over by Justice Emmanuel Amadi dismissed the appeal filed by Femi Peters challenging his conviction.
According to the charge sheet, Mr Peters, on 24 October 2009, after failing to obtain permission from the Inspector-General of Police, proceeded to hold a political rally in Serrekunda Central. Count two stated that on the same day and time, Mr Peters used a loud speaker to be heard in a public place without the written consent of the Inspector-General of Police.
Source: The Point |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
 |
|
|
toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 29 Dec 2010 : 17:26:50
|
I have great sympathy for Femi Peters,why? apart from the fact that he has served his sentence in Mile Two, an experience that no one should suffer but because he was the one who tested the resolve of the present administration to any form of public political opposition,that message was received loud and clear by those who would wish to lead an effective opposition."the leader of the UDP, Ousainou Darboe, confirmed the story to The Point, saying: "Yes, Femi has completed his jail term of one year and was freed on Friday, 10 December 2010." Typical lawyer speak,no welcome for Mr Peters back into the community and his family,has his sentence served any useful purpose ?
Politicos on Bantaba in cyberspace have had their chance to comment since his release,silence reigned supreme.
The result of next years election in the Gambia will be no surprise to many people. |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
|
|
|
|
turk
USA
3356 Posts |
Posted - 29 Dec 2010 : 17:37:23
|
| touby. The reason is Darbou is under legacy of giant fighter Femi Peter. Femi has more leadership attributes than Darboe. Femi, with hearth, is more like Mandela. Darboe is more like chicken, for example, not standing up for Femi as a general of an army, not taking risk of going prison like Halifa Salah, being refugee in Senegal Consulate in Fajara. |
diaspora! Too many Chiefs and Very Few Indians.
Halifa Salah: PDOIS is however realistic. It is fully aware that the Gambian voters are yet to reach a level of political consciousness that they rely on to vote on the basis of Principles, policies and programmes and practices. |
|
|
|
toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 29 Dec 2010 : 18:13:34
|
| Turk,I have read your posting, thanks, I was making an observation on Mr Peters release,I do try my hardest not to make comments on political things, it was an observation about the way in which the release was viewed by others. |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
|
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
|
|
| Bantaba in Cyberspace |
© 2005-2024 Nijii |
|
|
|
Topic Locked
