Disclaimer: I an neither parsing Mr. Darboe words or
suggesting Freedom Newspaper online is wrong; hence the need to clear
the air.

  The leader; Mr. Darboe of the United Democratic Party of The Gambia of
which I am a founder member and a card carrying member (formerly
Assistant Administrative Secretary) needs to clear the air from what is
reported on Freedom newspaper Online by Editor and Publisher Mr. Mbai.
Mr. Darboe in one of his speeches at the Raleigh Conference did make
reference to a meeting between him; Deputy party leader Yaya Jallow and
Mr. Hamat Bah of the NRP where Mr. Darboe suggested to Mr. Bah to bring
along the NRP and to join the UDP with the understanding that since he
Darboe and two other older members of the leadership (Sanneh and
Jammeh) are aging Bah could then assume leadership of the reformed
Party (UDP/NRP) the 'New UDP'. According to Mr. Mbai, 'he (Mr. Bah) can
take over the mantle from him' (Mr. Darboe). I am concern here for two
reasons:
                  1. This is the second time under one year that such
issue is being floated in the print media. The first was in the
instance of Mr. Mai Fatty of the GMC in the Standard Newspaper and the
Party leader Mr. Darboe had to clarify what he said. So the need to
clear the air once and for all times, obligates Mr. Darboe to make
reference to the Constitution of the Party in terms of succession and
that he would abide by that. Mr. Darboe is an astute Lawyer and one who
carefully chooses his words; so out of respect for other Party Members
myself included, Mr. Darboe Please Clear the Air. As a party member
yourself I am not suggesting to take away your right to endorsed
whosesoever you prefer under transparent and fair process. We the
members of the UDP need to be clear that the process will be seen to be
just that; since that augurs well for the standing of the Party- the
IDEALS of Democracy, my second point.

                   The United Democratic Party need to be seen to be
DIFFERENT from ALL Parties that existed before and after its founding
in The Gambia because of the Nature, Circumstance and Experience of its
founding. YES INDEED; THOSE WERE VERY DIFFICULT AND TRYING TIMES, BUT
WE PREVAILED AND PERSEVERED SO THE UNITED DEMOCRATIC PARTY IS EXISTING
TODAY, WE CANNOT FORGET THAT. The convictions and sacrifice of
Countless Pioneers and Soldiers of the
Cause made the party (some of those belong  to the ages) but the ones
with us must and should have a say to the
positions of leadership of the party.

                    2. By virtue of the Position of the UDP in the
political process of The Gambia it should Lead by example
with what is termed in the Culture of Democracy- Internal Democracy.
The showcasing of  democratic culture within the
party organization before GOVERNANCE, call it a nursery bed of the
practices and processes before governance. For too
often we have seen in African politics and The Gambia is no exception
where the politics of patronage takes precedence over
Internal Democracy and since Senegal is a reference point Pope Sopi
(WADE) comes to mind. In the Way Forward for The Gambia
these processes have to be inbuilt within party structures to prevent
jammeh type scenario upon assumption of power by any party or
individual. Now is the time to address these issues for once power is
assumed the often reference cliche ' power corrupts, absolute
power.....absolutely'. Let me be clear here and crystal clear; I know
Mr. Darboe probably more than most having worked with him on close
quarters
at very trying times and he would vouch for my respect for him. I also
know him to be democratic in his dealings.
Notwithstanding the Matters of Politics and Country requires Candor as
Mr. Darboe himself alluded to in Raleigh.
He also knows me for speaking my mind and my upbringing dictates my
respect for all.

Farang.

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