The Point Published Tuesday, 04 April, 2000 Sam Silla Is New UDP Leader .United Democratic Party (UDP) the main opposition party has named retired Colonel Sam Silla (rtd) as the National President and new leader of the party. Retired Colonel Sam Silla, age 63, will be the UDP presidential candidate in the October 2001 presidential election. Ousainou Darboe Secretary General of the United Democratic Party (UDP) made the disclosure yesterday at a press conference held at the party headquarters in Banjul. Darboe said that since the party's inception, in 1996, the party had not elected anyone to the position of Party President. He further said that the constitution of the UDP provides for a National President, and that it is not a new phenomenon in any political caucus, since some call it chairman, while others call it president. Darboe said that a party of the standing of the opposition UDP had to scout out for a person who is well-suited for the position, both intellectually and morally. Darboe described Sam Silla as a well-known personality, a politician and a retired military officer who earned his title (Colonel) on account of the qualities and professionalism he exhibited, "but did not sit in an air-conditioned office and decorate himself with the rank of a colonel." Darboe said that the UDP has enormous confidence in Sam Silla's integrity and leadership qualities. He further said that the UDP believes that Mr. Silla will lead the party to higher heights. Darboe noted that Sam Silla is not a wavering president, and would answer any questions put to him precisely. In his remarks, the new National President of the UDP said he was confident of the cooperation of all and sundry, especially UDP members, and that the opposition party will overcome the hurdles that lie ahead. He enjoined all UDP members and supporters to conduct the party's affairs with honour, and on the basis of truth and decency towards all Gambians irrespective of their political affiliation or belief, noting that there is so much one can learn from others. Silla pointed out that there is no good and bad political party in the world, there are only good and bad political leaders. He cautioned that if the UDP is to convince the Gambian people to support the opposition party, all members must live by example. Silla said the party's mission statement should be to promote the politics of ideas and not politics of insults etc. Silla said the UDP wanted to portray the politics of ideas, and to change the lives of the Gambian people for the better. He added that the UDP will pursue its politics with dignity, maturity and honesty. "If the UDP cannot persuade the people of this country to support our policies and ideas, then we certainly would not do it by coercion or by aggressive arrogance," he declared. Silla further declared that the UDP pledges to reach out to every citizen of this country, including those who have been sidelined and those who have been disenfranchised. Every Gambian citizen has a contribution to make for the collective good of this country, the UDP leader said. The UDP strongly subscribes to the principles of good governance in ensuring the sanctity of life, property and the rule of law in the country as enshrined in the Constitution, he added. The elderly, middle-aged and the youths deserve the UDP's respect, Silla pointed out. He noted that given a level playing field and free and fair elections, the UDP will march into the future with confidence and give all Gambians a government based on honour, truth and decency. He expressed gratitude to the members of the media present, and noted that the United Democratic Party (UDP) has a lot to say. "To the members of the media, consider us a media-friendly party; you don't need to write to us in order for us to give you an interview," the UDP president declared. Silla declared that he had decided to lead the UDP for the simple reason that he finds the policies and programmes of the party very attractive. The country will benefit enormously if the UDP is given the opportunity by the Gambian people to carry out it's programmes and policies. Retired Colonel Sam Silla was active in politics in the First Republic. A retired soldier, he had a distinguished military career, serving in the Nigerian army from 1965 to 1971. Since 1992 he has worked for veterans as the National Chairman of the Gambian Legion of British Commonwealth Ex-Servicemen's League. 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 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------