Sanyang,

Thanks for your observation.

There is no need to make any fuss about this.  Mr. Darboe did not say he
will make Mr. Bah leader by just deciding to do so and that is it. There is
a democratic process mechanism in place for electing a UDP leader, and Mr.
Darboe himself have had to go through that to become/remain leader. This is
already an established culture in the UDP which everybody including those
who are not associated with the party,  understands. So if an amateurish
journalist chose to misrepresent Mr. Darboe's statement for malicious
purposes, we do not have anything to worry about that for it only pushes
the credibility and integrity of that journalist and the medium he serves
down the drains.

People have already asked themselves this question; ' If Mr. Darboe himself
had to be chosen through a democratic process, why would he not want
someone else to go through the same process?' They then threw scorn on this
classless report and moved on with their lives. I recommend the same to you.

Mr. Darboe may not have the power to hand pick a successor as you rightly
alluded to, but he certainly have the right to recommend or nominate one to
the party congress and even campaign for him/her, using all his political
skills and influence for he (Darboe) too is a member of the party just like
you (purportedly).

Yes, Mr. Darboe have had to address, not clarify because the statement did
not originate from the UDP or Mr. Darboe, some rumours pertaining to Mai
Fatty but that issue was responsibly reported and by a responsible medium
whereas this one is not nor was it reported by a responsible and ethical
medium. It therefore deserves no response or clarification either from Mr.
Darboe or the UDP. Its simply just that; junk journalism.


Thanks
Daffeh


On Monday, 20 May 2013, Edrissa S. Sanyang <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>       ble       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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