WHO  IS  GOING TO
          LEAD THE COALITION?


Time   is   running   out.     We    have    few   months    to   the
elections.     The    questions   concerned   Gambians   are  asking   these
  days   are:   When     will   the  coalition  flag   bearer  be   named
officially?      Who   is   going    to     be   the  presidential  aspirant
   for  the  new  opposition   coalition?      Why  was   the  coalition
would   be   leader  not   named  at   the  signing   of   the  Memorandum
of   understanding?      Or   is  it   that  the   coalition  leaders   are
  trying   to  keep  the  NADD  interim  leader  secret  for  security
reason?     Whatever   the  case  might  be,    Gambians   will  be   more
than  happy   to   get  answers  on   these  pertinent   questions.

              FAMILIARITY THE KEY QUESTION

We    should    be  optimistic   in    our    quest   to   oust    dictator
Jammeh    through   the   electoral   process.      But    pointing    the
lapses of    NADD  does   not    tantamount    to     being   pessimistic.
    In   my   mind,    i     think     there  are  key   important   factors
     ignored   by   the  coalition.

First   and   foremost,   is     the   failure   to   declare   the
coalition 's   flag   bearer    at   this  crucial   stage   of   our
nation's     history.      Waiting    until   the   eleven  hour   to
declare   the  NADD  leader   might  have  some   negative   impact  on
the  electoral   process.      Voters   will   likely   not  vote   for   an
  unfamiliar  candidate.    The   outcome   of    the  electoral  process
will  be  determined   by    "Who  is  who"   among    the   candidates?
  Whether   we   like    or    not,       politics   of   personality   do
exist   in  The  Gambia.     Presenting  an  unpopular  candidate   should
  be    avoided.        Naming    NADD    flag  bearer  now,   will   enable
   Gambians    to   better   know    their   "Leader"   and    to   send
suggestions  where  it's  necessary.

                   THE   SECURITY  TALK!!!!!!

It   is   widely  claimed   that   the  failure   to   name   the
coalition's    flag   bearer   was   done   in   the   interest    of
security.      Is     this    really    true?    Is   this   really   true?
      Security     is    an  important   component    to    consider    when
     dealing     with    such   a      murderous      regime.      But
did    NADD    know    that     Dictators   like   Jammeh   will  employ
fear    factor   to   cow    his    opponents?      Jammeh     will   be
more   than   happy    if    NADD    should    wait   until     few    weeks
    before   polling    to    declare    their   candidate.       As
stated    in    my   previous    posting,   the  NADD   leader   should
not   be   "Chicken  Hearted"      He    should     be   able    to    lead
The   Gambia    in    the    times    of     "Peace"    and  "Difficulties".
       Dictators   do   not   understand   diplomatic   language.

Yes,    our    country's    security   situation   had   deteriorated   in
  recent   months.       We   have   witnessed   the   killing   of     my
  boss   Deyda    Hydara,   the  attempted    assassinations,    arson
attacks   and  abductions.      NADD    should   employ   all   security
contingency   plans   to    protect   its   leadership   and   supporters
at   home.      Even    though    this   is   the   duty   of    the  state,
    they   should   do   it   for  precaution   purposes.

The     NADD   leader   should    be   ready   to    engage   Jammeh.
Failure   to   put    their  house  in  order   NADD,   will   suffer   just
  like   other   failed  opposition    coalitions   elsewhere  on   the
Africa continent.     Greed   and   personal   differences   should     be
  buried.    The   Gambia   is   at    cross   road.     Failure   to
rescue   us  from   this "Monster"   Regime  will  impact  negatively    to
  Gambia's   future.   The   opposition   will   be   doing   a
disservice    to   The  Gambia    and   her   People   if    they   fail
to    acknowledge   the  popular   demand   for   "Regime  Change"   in
our   country.

The   signing   of   the  Memorandum   of   Understanding   was    a
welcomed    development    in    our    political   evolution.    But   it
shouldn't   stopped    there.       NADD   should    organise   political
rallies   now   across   the   country   and     sensitise  voters about
their     decision  to  come  together.    They   should  also   use   such
platforms   to    educate   voters   to  avoid   vote  buying  as  it
always   the  case  under  Jammeh's   rule.     Poverty   stricken   voters
wouldn't   mind   to  sell   their  votes   for  a   bag   of  "Rice"   just
   to    feed  their  families  the  next  day.       Voters  should   be
educated  about  the  dangers  of   such   practices.     NADD   should  let
them know  in principles that their  "Votes"   will determine  the  future
of  our   ravaged   country.      NADD  have   a    big   task   ahead   of
  them.     Gambians   and  non-Gambians  alike   should   close   their
ranks   to    make   NADD   a    "Success  Story"   in    Africa.      With
  unity,    transparency  and   accountability  NADD will  be  a    success
story.     Behind    the  scene  moves  and     lack   of   being
accountable   to  its   voters   will   not   move   NADD   anywhere.
I    join   other  folks   who   said   NADD'S   decision   on    the
issue    of    leadership   should  come    from   the  people.        I
entirely   agree.        We    have   passed   the   stage,   where
leaders   will   imposed  themselves   on   electorates.     The   APRC
politics  style  should  not  be adopted by  NADD.      Suggestions
forwarded   by   Gambians    should   be   accommodated  and   not   dumped
in   the  trash  can.

                  SINCERITY  AMONG  COALITION  LEADERS

Now   that  the  (MOU)  has    been   signed,    Gambians   expect
signatories   to   this  important   document  to  stick   to   their
promises.     There  shouldn't   be   any  "Back Ward  "     Forward  and
never  Back  Ward.     This    should    be    the   watch  word.      The
younger  generation  of  The   Gambia   are  banking   on   NADD   for   the
     restoration   of     Democracy  and  the  Rule  of   law  in  The
Gambia.         We   pray  for  God's   protection.       Long   live   The
Gambia   and   her   people .   Just   my   mind
speaking..............................

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