Lawyer Darboe's Third Term Presidential Dream-Is Darboe Succeeding or Failing As A Politician?
Lawyer Darboe's Third Term Presidential Dream-Is Darboe Succeeding or Failing As A Politician?
Lawyer Darboe's Third Term Presidential Dream-Is Darboe Succeeding or Failing As  A Politician?
              
    The UDP Is A By Product of the Former PPP
Is The APRC using Hendry Gomez to spy at  NRP/UDP Alliance?

We Feature Presidential Aspirant Ousainou Darboe!!!

Darboe Two.jpgBack in 1996, Ousainou Darboe declared his intention of running for the Presidency. He was new in the political platform,but this never prevented him from recording a significant voter percentage. Darboe captured slightly over 30 percent of the votes in said elections. Darboe born in Dobo belongs to the Jula Clan, as he often brags to his critics. One of his parents was a politician. His father was one of the political  bigwigs during the old days. This in itself don't qualify him to be one anyway. Darboe was created by the People's Progressive Party the PPP. His party is consists of former PPP stalwarts and supporters. Most of the people who followed him were part of the toppled PPP administration. The PPP was transformed into UDP since they were banned from active politics. This fact is hardly accepted by UDP followers, but it is the true state of affairs. When President Jammeh lifted Decree 89 which banned former politicians, the likes of Omar Amadou Jallow revived the PPP. Such a move created a shake up in the UDP at the time.
Ousainou Darboe 1.jpg
Darboe Back In 1996

PPP officials such as Pesseh Njie, Aunda Nyang, Landing Kitti Jabang, Yaya Ceesay,Landing Jallow Sonko and a lot more met to revive their party. Some of these very people were seen rallying behind Darboe publicly or privately prior to the lifting of the ban. They never supported the APRC led by Jammeh. The PPP factor played a big role for Darboe's electoral shortcomings, as many at the time believed that the UDP was a bunch of disgruntled and angry PPP failed politicians. Darboe's attempts to win public sympathy went into deaf ears, as his new party's credibility was put into question in some quarters. The junta succeeded in reducing the PPP into a laughing stock across the country. People at the time hated every aspect of the PPP, since Jammeh and his new military colleagues bandit that the PPP denied Gambians the national cake. They argued that voting for the UDP means bringing  back the PPP to power. They call the PPP officials names in their rallies.

                 Darboe is a weak politician

Darboe's Presidential dream sounds genuine provided that he is willing to do what it takes to become a leader. The politician lacked some basic qualities of a leader. One, Darboe lacks political sincerity. Politics is about principles and sincerity. The two is lacking on his part. He signed agreements only to turn around to violate the very agreements he signed. A classical case was the NADD memorandum of understanding. Darboe, supposedly a legal mind ought to know better. He was never under duress to sign the said document, but today Darboe is pretending as if Halifa Sallah black mail them to sign a document which he never knew its content. The NADD affair will continue to hunt him for the rest of his political career. Gambians are no fools to be brainwashed with empty legal citations without proofs. Darboe fails credibility test in view of his double standard games. It is a known fact that Darboe harbored special interest for the Presidency. He fall out with NADD was primarily caused by his non  nomination as a flag bearer. Yes, he had the biggest opposition in the country, but that don't give him free ride to force himself through. Darboe must respect the wishes and aspirations of Gambians if he wants to be taken seriously by voters.

Darboe is not a brave politician. Back in 1996, he fled his residence to seek refugee at the Senegalese High Commission. He claimed that some soldiers were detailed to kill him. Yes, his claims were said to be truthful, but how long will Darboe continue to run if he is threatened? Can such a person be entrusted with the Presidency? Is Darboe telling us that he will abandon his people  like Jawara if  faced with difficult situations? Darboe should borrow a leaflet from his brother opposition leaders to be taken seriously. He should be prepared to face the consequences if he is really committed to his Presidential dream.

                       The Old Pa Factor on Darboe

The APRC and their supporters call Darboe an old Pa. Darboe is not as old as  they think. We have seen politician older than Darboe vying for the Presidency. One thing is evident though, President Jammeh had succeeded in instilling fear into Darboe. Darboe would be the last person to rebel against Jammeh despite the ongoing illegal arrest and detention of his militants. Lawyer Mariam Denton was detained for couple of months and no formal protest action was launch in the streets to request for the woman to be released. Rambo and his brothers were thrown in jail for false means without any action taken besides going to court. Going to court is a good thing, but testing the constitutional provisions in the streets is another good thing. The UDP has never organized a single protest since its birth. The streets sometimes helped to restore freedoms and liberties. Darboe believes that by taking to the streets will amount to violating the laws. The constitution guarantees free assembly and association.


                               NCP problems with UDP

When Sheriff Dibba was invited to join the then opposition alliance, he responded without delay. Sheriff also shared common characteristics with Darboe. He too don't settle for his Presidential desire. His problems with the UDP centered on the issue of Presidential flag bearer. Sheriff thought that he being the most experienced politician at the time should have been availed with the opportunity of heading the opposition coalition. The NCP and the PPP were strange bed fellows. The UDP being the by product of the PPP were never keen at accepting the NCP leader as a flag bearer. These were the days when Lamin Waa Juwara, Omar Amadou Jallow,Landing Jallow Sonko and others were in Darboe's good books. They teamed up to nominate Darboe as flag bearer. Sheriff could not withstand what he calls the conspiracy reached to sideline  his party. He walked out from the meeting which was held at the YMCA and accuses his colleagues as being treacherous. Sheriff later entered into alliance with the APRC. The same Sheirff was arrested and accused of coup plot and later released. Darboe must reflect on the past sacrifices made on his behalf by people who hate to see eye to an eye. At least the likes of OJ, Waa and Landing Jallow Sonko helped him in the past. This fact must be admitted.

                   Darboe's new friend Hendry Gomez!

Hendry's joining the NRP/UDP alliance is not a big story per say. Hendry has no big followings in the country. Some even suspected  that Jammeh is using him to spy at the NRP/UDP alliance. The opposition should be very cautious about Gomez. He could be an undercover for the APRC. Gomez few weeks ago visited President Jammeh to praise him for hosting the AU Summit. The same Gomez wants to make us believe that he is not anti Jammeh. Hendry is a momodou, Modou  in Germany. He was penalized based on residency grounds. If he is really committed to his political cause nothing is stopping him from staying in the Gambia. But the man wants to kill two birds with one stones. He wants to keep his job in Germany at the same time trying to become a President. Gomez in fact disrespects Gambians. The IEC should have long revoked his party's license since he is not physically resident in the country. He cannot be using his bogus party to solicit funds without staying in the country to know the problems of our people. If that is the case then everyone residing abroad can come home and register a party and leave. Gomez cannot tell us that he is not receiving funding for his party. The IEC should also be blamed for the Gomez problem. They created Gomez. It beat our imagination that the same IEC is today rejecting the very party they registered. Darboe is being trailed by the APRC with Gomez embracing him at this hour. Gomez,  will one day say things about Darboe. That day is coming. Darboe need political reforms to be taken seriously. He needs to humble himself and give up his arrogance. The UDP looks like a one man show with one person dictating the affairs of the party. Gambians don't need another Jammeh. Know your politicians and decide the destiny of your country. No tribal politics. One Gambia, one people. Look out for our subsequent editions. We will feature all contenders in the coming Presidential and parliamentary race. Stay tuned.



Posted on Wednesday, September 06, 2006 (Archive on Monday, October 30, 2006)
Posted by PNMBAI  Contributed by PNMBAI
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