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Dalton1
3485 Posts |
 Posted - 25 Jan 2006 : 02:05:48
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Hi Mbai
thank you for highlighting the general public and gambian masses in particular
about the political developments at home. But you should bear in mind that human
beings are dynamic and for that matter they are not perfect too. my advice is
that leave the leadership to settle the matter and do not just jump at your own
conclusions.
As for BB and Sabally, just look at your own self. why should you leave Gambia
and not stay since your colleagues are still at home facing all sort of harassment
and intimidation some even had to lost their lives. we should note that we might
be different in principle but the same objective towards the common good of our
motherland.
Congratulations for your good work.
Yus
panderry mbai <panderrymbai@YAHOO.CO.UK> wrote: INDEPENDENT OBSERVER
It is time for the leader of the main opposition United Democratic Party, UDP'S
Ousainou Darboe, to heed to public demand to give up his Presidential ambition.
Darboe, should take a back seat, in the interest of political change in The Gambia.
He had tested the Presidential race on two occasions, and should rally behind
whoever is chosen by NADD to contest the much talked about 2006, polls. Failure of
which, NADD will be a thing of the past. If the latest reports we received from
Banjul, are to go by, OJ and his followers are not keen at allowing Darboe to lead
again.
My pieces on Darboe, are usually unpopular within the Darboe camp, but this is not
the time to blame independent minded journalists for reporting the truth. This is
not the time to advocate for politics of tribalism or "BADING FASA." This is not the
time to betray the memorandum of understanding that was signed at the Palm Grove
Hotel. Darboe and his colleagues are expected to apply that document to the letter
and not to deviate from it. It is wrong for Darboe supporters to conclude that it is
only their leader would lead the coalition. It is also wrong for OJ'S supporters to
conclude that the Serre Kunda man should lead.
NADD, had reached a full blown crisis situation and if the leadership impasse is not
approached with high sense of care and understanding, their dream for new Gambia,
will never materialised. The opposition merger had reached a stage, where they
should not allow greet, love for power, and tribalism to undermine their quest for
democratic change in our dear country.
Darboe fans, will be tempted to ask, what opinion poll, are we using to justify the
above popular demand assertion. The answer is simple and I will get to it, as we
proceed with our arguments. It is evident that OJ'S nomination was greeted with
mixed reaction, across the West African country. While some hailed the move, others
expressed strong reservations about the nomination of the former PPP, Agriculture
Minister.
What is disturbing is that, there was no political party, which volunteered at the
NADD first leadership nomination to endorse Darboe's bid for the Presidency. We
harboured no grudges against Darboe, but the reality is that the first nomination
was not in Darboe's favour. Despite his popularity, there was no vote for him. This
is really, really serious. What is going on? Does Darboe, deserves such a political
snub or isolation if you like? If I were Darboe, I will gracefully give up and allow
whoever is chosen to lead that party. Mr.Darboe, Gambians are not doubting your
commitment to the struggle to liberate our people from Jammeh's tyranny. We feel
that it is time to prove your critics and sceptics wrong, by showing them that you
are not "power hungry." Ousainou, don't allow them to say that you are
self-centered.
The NADD leadership nomination reminds us about the failed UDP, PPP, GPP and NCP
alliance.The same selection process was adopted by NADD. There was no secret voting.
Everything was done in the open. In the end, Sheriff Dibba, walked out from the
hall, accusing his colleagues of conspiracy, in a bid to undermine his Presidential
ambition. Is Darboe, following the foot steps of Dibba? Well time will tell.
To some extent, the organising committee of the NADD nomination process should be
blamed. The nomination process should be witnessed by the press and local observers,
if they are truly committed to transparency and accountability. Hiding behind close
doors will not stop journalists who worth their salt to report reliable information
given to them by NADD insiders.
Well the reaction of Sam Sarr, came too late and at a wrong time. NADD should have
issued a statement shortly after their nomination stalemate and tell Gambians what
transpired on that faithful day. But no, they waited until the international media
picked up the story and they started making noise. We appreciate Uncle Sam's
reaction, but in all fairness the press should be commended for its efforts to hold
our political leaders accountable.The mere fact that they conducted the nomination
without the presence of local journalists, suggested that the NADD officials are not
certain of what they were doing. Now is the time to involve the press in your
activities to avoid speculations. We believe in reporting the facts and will
continue to report the facts.
My colleague Ebrima G Sankareh, and I were reliably informed by our usual competent
and well placed sources, that OJ was not keen at conceding to Dr.Nyambi Touray's
request to allow Darboe, to lead the coalition. Touray, we learnt was a special
envoy of peace loving Gambians, who do not want to see the coalition failed. What is
interesting at this hour, is the resurfacing of BB Darboe and Saikou Sabally, in our
country's domestic politics. The two had maintained a low profile, over the years
and their sudden emerging is indeed a cause for concern. We hope and pray that their
actions will be in the best interest of the country and not otherwise. We expect the
two to tell Darboe, the unpleasant truth and nothing less. The Gambia, is bigger
than all the Presidential contenders and as such they should respect the wishes and
aspiration of The Gambian people.
Many are wondering why Pa Nderry, had shifted his trend of reporting these days.
Yes, my fans and readers have good reasons to be concerned, in view of my past
critical reporting of the Jammeh dictatorship. My recent probing into the NADD
leadership impasse is geared for the common good and nothing else. I'm not obligated
to NADD, and cares less about how one feels about my political opinion as a citizen.
As an independent journalist, who is not on the payroll of any interest group, I
think I will be doing injustice to myself and country, if I fail to perform my
journalistic work with impartiality.
It is my duty to probe Jammeh and NADD. I will not intimidated by those who are
unhappy about what I write about Darboe or NADD. It would be a serious misjudgement
for anyone to consider me as a supporter of the opposition. As the saying
goes"JOURNALIST DO MBOKA" We as press men and women, have no friends, beside our
loyal sources, who spent day and night keeping us posted about breaking news
stories. We always protect such sources, no matter what.
Having said this, we must start asking why Darboe, could not win his own ward in the
upcountry for two consecutive terms. Charity begins at home and we wondered how can
Darboe be taken seriously as a Presidential hopeful, when he cannot win his own
area. Yes, he had support across the country, but why not his own ward? We hope
whoever is selected by NADD, should try and to take care of this political
shortcoming on the side of the UDP. OJ, had won the Serre Kunda seat on numerous
occasions, like wise Halifa, Hamat Waa, and Sedia in the various wards or
localities. But Darboe is yet to step in the National Assembly. This is another
yardstick, one could used to gauge Darboe's political shortcomings.
It is time to assess our would be leaders. You cannot just walk in and say I want to
be flag bearer. We want Darboe, OJ Halifa, Hamat and Sedia to tell us what will make
them to be a better Presidential candidate. The American system of primaries should
adopted by NADD, if they want to be taken seriously by the current and future
generations. The days of self imposed leadership are over. Power belongs to me.
Ousainou, read my mail with open mind and please heed to my advise to take a back
seat for now. Such a decision, will save NADD and our dear country, from Jammeh's
self perpetual rule. No heart feelings or grudges. We report the truth. Have a great
day. We rest our case.
The author is the former Secretary General of The Gambia press Union and also a
former Voice of America radio Banjul Correspondent. Mr. M'Bai who now resides in the
US State of North Carolina Raleigh was a leading political and crime reporter with
the Point and Daily Observer newspapers respectively. He can be reached by email at
the following addresses: panderry@allgambian.net, panderrymbai@yahoo.co.uk or
pnmbai@hotmail.com
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"There is no god but Allah (SWT); and Muhammad (SAW)is His last messenger." shahadah. Fear & Worship Allah (SWT) Alone! (:
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somita
United Kingdom
163 Posts |
Posted - 25 Jan 2006 : 12:53:29
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Mr Nderry, I do share alot of your concerns, i have voiced similar concern on NADD operational apparatus, whether or not it can pass the true test free, open and democratic civil soceity.
I am very sadden with the likes of Darboe, who think that because their grandparents said they have a leader in their mist, automatically means he(Darboe) is one and would be accepted by the people.
I have huge concerns about secret process of choosing leaders, particulary where there is no open protocol to govern such a process. I expect behind the scenes twist and pull, concessions and give aways before the leaders meeting, which effectively reduces the leaders meeting to formality unfortunately what we have is a near dictorial tendancy where the leaders make all the decision and then tell the people rather than engaging the people in the decision making process. Itis surely not my version of democracy. |
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