A high profile member of the central committee of the United Democratic
Party Ebrima 'Pesseh' Njie has strongly denied rumours circulating in town
that he has been offered a huge amount of money to defect to the ruling
party. Reacting to the claims, Mr. Njie told The Independent Thursday that
the information is "utter rubbish, baseless and unfounded". Pesseh who
claimed he is a founding member of the UDP said it is stupid to think he
would sacrifice his party for money.

He however acknowledged that he was consulted "from different angles" to
join the APRC and that he was also aware of rumours that he accepted the
offer, which he described as baseless. Mr. Njie who was sponsored as a
candidate during the PPP regime and contested in the 1987 and 1997 elections
both of which he won in Banjul Central was a member of parliament until the
military coup of July 1994. "How can I just vacate the UDP for a party that
overthrew our constitutionally elected government? I am with the UDP today,
tomorrow and after tomorrow and no amount of monetary inducement can divert
my attention," he emphasised.

He also noted that as one from a well off home and well-known parents it
will be disgraceful and disappointing to budge under the inducement of
money. Mr. Njie said he was preparing to organize a mass rally in Banjul to
nullify the rumours over his alleged defection. However, reports reaching
The Independent suggest that Pesseh Njie was a target of the APRC and was
constantly contacted by the party's top brass who promised to offer him a
huge amount of money if he joins them.

Mr. Njie a well-known politician in Banjul was also said to have been
convinced by ruling party bigwigs to call it a day with the UDP for a
position in government. "They are definitely trying to use him like other
UDP members whom they normally escort to the television station and tell
them to castigate the opposition just for money" one source claimed.




Mori

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L
Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html
You may also send subscription requests to [log in to unmask]
if you have problems accessing the web interface and remember to write your full name and e-mail address.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------