Flabbergasted
By Journalist PK Jarju
Editor,
While I welcome Yankuba Jambang's respond to my letter, am very
disappointed to see the the lack of professionalism and respect he
openly demonstrated in his rejoinder. As advoctors of freedom of expression, it expected of us to be tolerant and respectful to each
others political views on any issue especially those of national
development
I have expected Yankuba to tell Gambians why Jammeh is not going
to win the next election. Instead, he made personal attacks on me which
exposed his lack of respect to others. Instead making personal attacks
on him, I will use my precious time to state nothing but the facts for
the benefit of all.
In his attempts to put sense into my head, Yankuba due to his
pigheadedness has forgotten that the last elections were declared free
and fair and reflected the views of the Gambian people by three
political leaders who contested against Jammeh.
Let me remind him that Lawyer Darboe and Sheriff Dibba, both
phoned to congratulate Jammeh even before the official results were
declared. A few days later, Hamat Bah told journalists in his NRP
bureau that the election was free and fair. In fact, he wished Jammeh
well.
Secondly, both the local and international election observers who
monitored the election and vote counting have also reported the
election to be free and fair. In trying to be Darboe's attorney, is
Yankuba saying that all these people and institutions were wrong by
calling the election free and fair?
It is true that am the least happy with the way freedom of
_expression is being stifle in The Gambia, however there was never a
time in the last election when a certain political party was denied air
time in the national radio and television. All political parties were
given equal air time to put their message across the Gambian
population.
Being coversant with Gambian elections, I still stand firm on my assertion that a
greater majority of Gambian population see leadership as the will of
Allah and will continue to cast their votes to any incumbent who is in
power regardless of his education or manifesto. Is Yankuba saying that
he has never heard religious leaders in the country making that
assertion? In fact, Mbye Gaye has made
said it in one of his songs that: Tal bu Yallah tal sani chi mata bi mo gen nga feiko......It is better to throw wood in a fire set by Allah than put it off.
This is the reason why many National Assembly Members Yankuba described
as "Jammeh's rubber stamps" were elected into the National Assembly.
Lets be respectful and tolerant to each other so as to make healthy debates what would bring about positive changes. Chi jama.