The Daily Observer Published Tuesday, 02 May, 2000

Dr Taal frown at low turnout

The administrative secretary of the ruling APRC, Dr Saja Taal, has sounded the warning that the habitual "unimpressive, low turnout" in APRC rallies and meetings within the Kanifing Municipality "could result to "a disastrous situation" for the party.

Addressing a scantily attended rally of less than 300 supporters at Fajikunda, Friday, April 28, as part of the APRC ward sensitisation programme, Dr Taal said, "We received a low turnout in Serrekunda, Bundung and today, here too, it is the same.

We are also expecting a similar low public response in Abuko. It's dangerous for the party and could be disastrous in the future. We have a giant battle ahead." He implored supporters to forego their routine daily businesses and attend meetings whenever the APRC party calls for rallies, "to strengthen and enable the party to triumph in the forthcoming local government, presidential and national assembly elections." He appealed to them to register their sons and daughters.

Dr Taal urged the men folk to fully join their female counterparts in supporting APRC. He noted that "without the women, APRC would not make it. "The APRC national mobiliser, Secretary of State Yankuba Touray, insisted that despite the low turnout at the rallies, the APRC will make it as each woman present has left home many answerable to her and that women constitute the greater percentage of the Gambian population.

He described defectors to the opposition parties from the APRC as selfish APRC supporters who had rallied behind the party for their pocket. Mr Touray lambasted the Gambian youths, for their "laziness" and lack of drive to succeed, noting, "All the mechanics, carpenters and people of trade are non-Gambians".

Responding to appeals to the government, Mr Touray said the Fajikunda residents will benefit from a pipe water extension project in 2001.The APRC national women's mobiliser, Aja Fatou Sallah, urged the party supporters to pay deaf ears to the newspapers and opposition allegations and continue to support the APRC.

Serrekunda East National Assembly member, Fabakary Tombong Jatta, chaired the rally which was attended by KMC chairman, Abdoulai Conteh and other prominent APRC party militants.