Henry Gomez Breaks Silence
Monday 9th October 2006

By Madi Njie

Following a brief post-election respite, Henry Gomez, Secretary-General of the Gambia People’s Democratic Party (GPDP), has spoken out about his reaction to the September 2006 presidential elections.

Speaking in an interview with this reporter at his residence in Bakau, Mr Gomez praised God and then commended Gambians for conducting the entire elections process in a peaceful manner. He said: “Now that we have given our backs to politics, let bygones be bygones,” adding that there is no time for weeping and mourning. 

Quizzed on the opposition’s rejection of the elections results, Mr Gomez said, “I have nothing more to say on that because the UDP/NRP/GPDP Alliance flag bearer has already spoken.” 

“I answered calls to join the UDP/NRP alliance after being rejected by the IEC so as to add weight to the alliance. This also helped me to improve my political career,” he added. 

He noted that despite being disqualified by the IEC before he could make use of the opportunity to prove his capability and competency in the race to the September presidential polls, he was able to assert himself effectively after being called upon to join the UDP/NRP alliance, without hurting anyone.

Further asked whether he would maintain his ties in the alliance, Mr Gomez said: “There are many things to be sorted out because though they formed an alliance to work towards the September presidential elections, they are yet to finalise discussions on the way forward.”

Commenting on the ill-fated split that spelt the end of the much-vaunted alliance, the GPDP boss said the break that the NADD alliance suffered left Gambians without security. “The break-out happened without genuine reasons, and Gambians also showed to the opposition that they are no people to be played with.” 

But instead of belabouring about the problems, casting blame on others, Mr Gomez pointed out: “It is always bad to fail an examination and blame others for it. There is no need to blame others,” he pointed out, adding that the opposition need to sit together and look at where they may have gone wrong, discuss it with a view to correcting their mistakes. He said anyone taking political strides is a hero and that the winner is also a hero, adding that a loser in such a race needs to sit back, rethink his/her weaknesses and correct the mistakes. Mr Gomez asserted that there is still room for a united opposition alliance.

Mr Gomez further indicated that since the time of party politics for this year was in essence over, there is need for people to come together, be they UDP alliance or NADD supporters, to join hands with President Jammeh to develop the country. He advised the opposition not to reject any development accomplished by the president.

Reacting to allegations that he had fled, Mr Gomez argued that he saw no reason why he should flee the country. “After all, I am a politician considered by even the president as a genuine opposition. The president has regards for me and once told me that we are brothers and I still take him as that. I met with Yankuba Touray at the UN House and told him that I would not follow him for alleging that I’d run away,” Mr Gomez stated.

The UDP/NRP/GPDP alliance executive member finally thanked all Gambians and wished Muslims a happy Ramadan and prosperous Koriteh in advance.
 

 		
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