Mr. President, hear Jawara in this statement in an interview with the Sierra Leonean based Newspaper, the Awareness Times “But as time went on the, issue of time limit became more and more the accepted principle in politics. As you may be aware, in the UK for instance, there is no time limit for the Prime Minister. Mr. Tony Blair stood for the third term and he goes on. Margaret Thatcher also could have gone on and on. But nowadays, that idea has changed. Presidents and Prime Ministers are now required to serve only two terms in office. However, this has come about by evolution in politics. I want to assure you that if that was the vogue at the time, I would have graciously stepped down to allow for somebody else well before 1994. But that is the idea now and I think it is a good idea that Presidents and Prime Ministers serve for a certain period in office and thereafter step down.”

Mr. President, Jawara hates to offend you, but the bottom line here is that the old man means business. He is opposed to your third term bid. I hope you are reading between the lines. We hope and pray that you listen to the likes of Jawara and avoid being the world’s most disgraced leader. Jawara himself, regretted his overstaying in power. His messages were loud and clear.

Hear Jawara again”Infact at one stage, I even decided to take a rest and step down - which I declared at the party’s congress. But there were lots of opposition and demonstrations to that decision - this did not only come from my party supporters, but also from certain sections of the society who were not actually supporting me in government, that wanted me to stay. I pondered over this for almost a month and in the end, I gave in. When I stood again for a third term, of course I got a very strong majority in a free and fair election.”

Mr. President, in as much as we applauded Jawara for making such a statement, want to blame him for not telling you the truth openly. You have over stayed your welcome. We expect Jawara to know better and stop this politics of double standards.His own back yard is dirty and yet Jawara want to throw a stone at some one’s glass house. He stands to be accused as a traitor if he fails to do away with his style of political patronage in favor of Jammeh and his allies. Jawara, as an elderly statesman should be brave enough to tell his son Yahya Jammeh the truth. Anything besides, this is unacceptable to the people of this country.

Mr. President, we are today vindicated by Jawara’s statement that he was prepared to serve in any official capacity. This confirms our reports that he is your new adviser. Hear Jawara in this statement” If you think I have been silent, it is rather on the contrary. But when I was invited by the President to return from my self imposed exile at the end of 2001, I came home several months later in 2002, and considering myself as an Elderly Statesman, I decided to be neutral … I mean to withdraw from party politics, withdraw from active party politics and assume the role of an Elderly Statesman. In this status, I am ready to perform any task that may be assigned to me either nationally or regionally in a non partisan basis.”

Interestingly, Jawara, forgets that his age will not permit him to engage in active work. We still cannot comprehend why these old guards are determined for come back. They are spent forces, who misused their past portfolios. The Gambia’s problem today can be widely attributable to Jawara and his failed PPP government. They put Gambians to the situation they found themselves today. These failed politicians including Jawara, have no moral authority to preach political decency to Gambians after they have wrecked our beloved country. Jawara, is nothing but a betrayer. He abandoned all the principles and beliefs of his PPP founded Party. What an interesting and shocking situation?

Mr. President, we foresee a more backward Gambia, if you failed to give up your third term bid. The people are sick and tied with your repressive regime. The writings are on the wall for all to see the growing discontent in the country. We are not convinced if your are with your five senses. The street talks on the need for change should have served as a lesson to you to reconsider your third term Presidential bid. Just go ahead and see what will awaits you thereafter. Have great day, Mr. President.

The author is the former Secretary General of The Gambia Press Union and the Voice of America radio Banjul Correspondent. Mr.M'Bai, who now resides in US state of North Carolina, Raleigh was also a leading political and crime reporter with Daily Observer and The Point Newspapers respectively. He can be reached by email on  the following addresses: editor@freedomnewspaper.com, panderrymbai@yahoo.co.uk or pnmbai@hotmail.com Feel free to send in your reactions and opinion pieces on the above mentioned email addresses.