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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
 Posted - 04 Nov 2011 : 20:39:56
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1. THE DAILY NEWS WITH AN OPINION;
Politics, a National Issue: The UDP Leader's Interview and the Coalition
"Friday, November 04, 2011
Dear Editor
Politics is a national issue. Hence a politician is a national figure. He or she sacrifices himself for welfare of a nation. And so, every person has right to him or her.
Thus, the recent interview of lawyer Ousainou Darboe, not only as a politician but as well, a party leader and hopeful presidential candidate for the Nov 24 presidential election by The Daily News editor-in-chief, Mr Saikou Jammeh is provocative indeed.
For the interview did not only touch on all matters pertaining to the crucial issue of the time - why a coalition of opposition could not be attained - but gave lawyer Darboe the golden opportunity to wipe-out all misconceptions.
But the answers fell far short of that. The answers given were only indication of personal agrandisement, selfishness and a quest by each of the parties to hold the presidency.
It is quite critical that with this hidden motive or agenda, the meetings upon meetings, not just about a coalition, but having one presidential candidate from the opposition camp, was the sole obstacle to the bid for coalition and the reason for the obvious failure of talks for a united front.
And so, they kept paying lip-service and giving flimsy excuses about the coalition only to baffle the public whose anxiety is so much hampered and ultimately would bear the consequences in the elections.
However, what the learned politicians failed to accept as fact is that the common denominator is to win the presidency. It is not who or which party holds the presidency. None of them could win in a straight poll for a simple majority even by one vote.
It could not therefore be idle to be so much intransigent and dogmatic that the UDP’s majority over its counterparts is an assurance to be able to win the presidency by itself alone in the elections.
In the opinion of many observers, UDP should have agreed to the proposed method of selecting a flag bearer in order to enhance chances of winning.
Politics is give and take. This encompasses huge sacrifices such as life, wealth, leadership, freedom and the like for the sake of the welfare of ones people. Examples are Nelson Mandela, Jommo Kenyatta, Patrice Lumumba, Saikou Touray and others who have become political heroes and martyrs in the fight for the liberation of their people.
Thus in this special circumstance, as a centre figure and a leader, lawyer Darboe was expected to be able to target the whole nation and convince if not all, but those doubting his leadership as a president.
This has been exemplified in the interview by the question: “How is UDP very much like and unlike the APRC as a party?
Darboe’s answer was that “… we share in common a view for better Gambia.”
Politically, Darboe should have explained how his UDP as a would-be government would much better develop the country in accordance with his party’s manifesto than the APRC. But the commonality of their view for a better Gambia would warrant a change of heart from the APRC as a government.
And again in another vein, lawyer Darboe this time around in the interview has praised the IEC for what he described as a positive change of attitude contrary to what he had expressed as almost a total lack of confidence in the IEC in the recent past.
Thus, he was giving distinction to the credibility of IEC even before votes are cast and counted. It is indeed a very rare case for a politician to praise electoral officials when elections are looming.
Even more startling in the interview, Darboe was dogging the question that he only had one more chance to unseat president Jammeh.
He said that the question was being personalised as it was not he Darboe who was contesting, but the UDP.
The title of any office is given to any person who holds that office in a stipulated term until the expiry of that term.
The title is synonymous to his name as mark of honour and a distinction from officials of the same office such as chief justice, prime minister, head teacher and others.
It is therefore within context to use the word party leader and presidential candidate to distinguish Ousainou Darboe from other members of the UDP.
And so in the same context, Yahya Jammeh, is no person other than the leader and presidential candidate of the APRC and as well the president of the republic of The Gambia.
Therefore, the president and Yahya Jammeh are the same person as long as he is in State House.
The presidential election is just with us. Whatever the outcome may be, it is apparent that the performance of the opposition parties, especially the failure of the coalition has devastated the opposition parties very much indeed.
And whatever are the shortcomings of the APRC, there is no dispute that it is a well organised party covering all groups of persons, including women, youths, elders, businessmen, musicians, religions leaders and farmers, among others. It has a very good campaign method.
Also, with a strong command of the state paraphernalia - the chiefs, alkalolu, village elders, women and youth, it would be a mokery of oneself to hope the defeat of the APRC presidential candidate, Yahya Jammeh on the 24 Nov. election.
And if emerged victorious from this presidential race, president Jammeh would not only be conferred specialist political scientist professor, but the untouchable president of The Gambia.
Author: Author: Alhagie Momodou B. Sillah, a veteran Gambian journalist"Daily News
2. RELATED DAILY OBSERVER NEWS;
Opposition has no agenda for Gambians...Says Minister Sillah
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Edited by - kobo on 05 Nov 2011 05:19:23 |
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shaka
996 Posts |
Posted - 04 Nov 2011 : 23:29:07
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Beautifully put by Alhadji Momodou Sillah.
Mark the points in red. The handful of Diaspora hounds who think that they can shout down what is the most popular option and formula to bring together the oppositions should be ashamed of themselves. They actually delude themselves that their ranks had swell to more than a handful to hold the popular opinion. Thanks Kobo.
"However, what the learned politicians failed to accept as fact is that the common denominator is to win the presidency. It is not who or which party holds the presidency. None of them could win in a straight poll for a simple majority even by one vote.
It could not therefore be idle to be so much intransigent and dogmatic that the UDP’s majority over its counterparts is an assurance to be able to win the presidency by itself alone in the elections.
In the opinion of many observers, UDP should have agreed to the proposed method of selecting a flag bearer in order to enhance chances of winning.
Politics is give and take. This encompasses huge sacrifices such as life, wealth, leadership, freedom and the like for the sake of the welfare of ones people. Examples are Nelson Mandela, Jommo Kenyatta, Patrice Lumumba, Saikou Touray and others who have become political heroes and martyrs in the fight for the liberation of their people.
Thus in this special circumstance, as a centre figure and a leader, lawyer Darboe was expected to be able to target the whole nation and convince if not all, but those doubting his leadership as a president". |
Edited by - shaka on 04 Nov 2011 23:31:43 |
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Nyarikangbanna
United Kingdom
1382 Posts |
Posted - 05 Nov 2011 : 00:42:42
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Alhagi Momodou Sillah is Foroyaa affliated and is angry that PDOIS'S Ayatollah had been given a slap in the face by the UDP. Who the hell is Halifa to think that he CAN get UDP into a coalition that is entirely based on his whims and caprices? We needed a compromise solution and that IS what the UDP had offered by conceding the 5yr transition and all its attenand conditions as articulated by Halifa in AGENDA 2011, in return for the legitimacy of the UDP to lead AN ALLIANCE to be recognised as it is the international norm that is democratic and reasonable. If others haVE a different idea to follow, well that is entirely up to them.
Somebody has pleaded with me to respond to this Sillah's article and I said; for what? This guy is already a looser.
Thanks |
I do not oppose unity but I oppose dumb union. |
Edited by - Nyarikangbanna on 05 Nov 2011 00:45:31 |
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shaka
996 Posts |
Posted - 05 Nov 2011 : 02:57:49
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quote:
Originally posted by Nyarikangbanna
Somebody has pleaded with me to respond to this Sillah's article and I said; for what? This guy is already a looser.
I heard Joe Sambou say that Ousainou Darboe and the UDP leadership has allowed the Party to be run by boys. That is way too generous. Infact it is an insult to boys. The UDP has been run by a bunch of arrogant and cluesless toddlers like you, who, from out of obscurity suddenly think they wield an autonomy to the public opinion. While the leadership egged you on as you heap insult on any one who dare differ from your opinion for five years. For five go damn years Ousainou and the UDP leadership have been giving the false impression to the Gambian public that UDP was not seeking a party led alliance but would only reveal its position at a negotiating table with other opposition leaders. In fact Darboe had been avoiding the notion of party led alliance in the public domain like a plague. Up until the failed talks there never any mention of UDP led alliance from Ousainou Darboe, neither was there a single document from the Party Secretariat to such effect. The only time we've heard about it was from the surrogates and insignificant party members.Every person with atleast one brain cell knew that you have nothing to offer but to lead any coalition at all cost. Why were you not upfront with the Gambian people? Stop insultinting us by profering the pathetic claim the UDP had conceded anything in the failed talks. Like i told you before, you cannot put 'transition government' and 'party led coalition' in the same mouthful. Where the hell on this planet have you ever heard of a transition government being led by a political party? Are you mad? A UDP led coalition is a UDP Government, it does not matter whether it is for five years, five days or five seconds. Stop insulting our intelligence. PDOIS did not hold talks to elect a UDP Government. Get that into your thick skull. If i ever hears you say anything like 'international norm' for what you are offering, i'll fcuking scream. You don't want that, do you? |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 05 Nov 2011 : 05:05:29
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What "international norm" as perceived by proponents of UDP Party-led agenda; applied in UK 
UK VERSUS GAMBIA
1. Prior to elections in UK; the poilitical conditions and none of the political parties never thought or considered a campaign agenda forming an alliance/coalition/united front as a strategy/tactic or dictated by political conditions at that time; as each political prepared going to the polls
2. After the elections, the results delivered a hung parliament; lead by Tories, Labour as second and third Liberal Democrats; and supposed to lead them to second round of voting, if a coalition government is not formed
3. Then we witnessed Tory and Labour lobbying to form coalition with Liberal Democrats; being third but held the key to sort the political crises country is faced for setting up a government; avoiding second round of voting
4. Nick Clegg held talks and was shuttling between Tory leader David Cameron and Gordon Brown Labour labour for a strong convincing deal that suits the Liberal democrats! They could have instituted Gordon Brown in power instead of of current Prime Minister David Cameron, Tory leader under coalition terms that suits its partners
5. David Cameron and Tory made hard decisions not to lost the battle with Gordon Brown Labour, as they also stand a chance of setting up a coalition government with Liberal democrats
6. ON GAMBIA, FOR YOUR INFORMATION WE HAVE NOT SEEN ANY PROSPECT OF A UNITED FRONT, COALITION OR ALLIANCE UNDER ONE UMBRELLA WITH UDP PARTY-LED PROPOSALS
7. CAN SOMEONE EXPLAIN AND JUSTIFY IN SIMPLE TERMS HOW THE UDP PARTY-LED IS A UNITED FRONT, COALITION OR ALLIANCE; FOR WE ARE NOT CONVINCED THAT IT IS ANY OF THEM? EXCEPT CLEARLY SEEN AS AWKWARD AND A FAILURE TO SEIZE POWER AND CONTROL; TO HOODWINK OTHER RIVAL OPPOSITION PARTIES ON UDP BAND WAGON; SIDE-LINING THEM, OVER-RIDE COMMON POLITICAL PLATFORM AND LEAP FROG DEMOCRACY; STEALING CREDIBILITY AS NATION IS BATTERED FOR SELFISH PROSPECTS OF IMPOSING A UDP GOVERNMENT AND ITS PARTISAN AGENDA; WHICH IS FARCE
8. "There is no standard formula for coalitions. Every coalition is unique in one way or another"
9. "Coalitions come about through the dictates of circumstances, interests, time and necessity." PDOIS On Republican Day
10. "In our view coalitions to contest elections and coalitions governments are ideal if they serve the interest of the people!"PDOIS 2011 Sensitisation Campaign
11. THEREFORE VICTORY FOR A UNITED FRONT WITH THE THEME "ONE GAMBIA ONE NATION ONE PEOPLE" |
Edited by - kobo on 05 Nov 2011 10:37:10 |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
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