Former Minister Defiant On Right to Contest Email This Page Print This Page The Independent (Banjul) August 24, 2001 Posted to the web August 24, 2001 Alhagie Mbye Banjul, the Gambia Omar Jallow alias (OJ), chairman of the consultative committee of the People's Progressive Party (PPP) and former agriculture minister has said that nobody can stop him from contesting as a candidate in the parliamentary elections. He argued that it is only Gambians who have the mandate to determine their destiny and not a group of people who are only interested to entrench themselves in power. Answering questions from The Independent regarding his eligibility to contest the forthcoming elections, OJ, maintained that "nobody can stop me from standing. If the people who appear before the commission and are supposed to pay D26 million have all their assets returned to them, and those required to pay D900, 000 nominated as National Assembly members, while others are elected as National Assembly members no one can stop me from contesting." OJ stressed that everyone was aware that the whole commission was a "sham" and without respect. He added that "their so called white paper report is just a toilet paper and has been fabricated, in the Kangaroo commission of inquiry to justify an illegal military take over." He claimed that everyone was also aware that those who ordered such commissions of inquiry were only out to enrich themselves and stay in power. He also said that the PPP never said that former President Jawara was to contest for the presidency but he should be allowed to return home as an elderly statesman and lead a happy live. OJ acknowledged that Sir Dawda is now over 70 years and therefore not qualified to contest for the presidency. "He is a father of the nation and should not be treated unfairly. They seized all his assets and properties so what we are saying is that he should come back home for the interest of everyone and have all his asset returned to him." OJ intimated that what former President Jawara acquired during his 30 years in power, the incumbent President Jammeh, has exceeded him in just seven years and therefore there is no moral or legal justification for the regime to accuse anyone. He added that trying to compare the two is like comparing "God and Satan" and further indicated that the level of corruption under the APRC has never taken place in the history of The Gambia. OJ confirmed that they also met with the IEC and discussed issues regarding the counting of the ballots. "Counting on the spot is not for negotiations and if they are actually independent and want people to see them in that light, the important decision of the majority of the parties be respected" he suggested. OJ stressed that the situation of the APRC is a "movement of fear" as he see no reason why they are still insisting on the former president's return. He further noted that it is one of the principle of his party not to insult on their platform considering the culture and tradition of the country. He said leaders should be more responsible and that insulting an elderly person on a political platform is uncalled for. OJ further challenged the IEC to respect the voice of the majority of the political parties and contact private security firms or retired security officers to help them conduct the necessary security needed as claimed by the ruling APRC. "If retired security officers can be sent to Kosovo or East Timor I see no reason why they cannot serve their own country," he added. OJ maintained further that the peace and security of the Gambia is now in the hands of the IEC. He also outlined his optimism that in a free and fair elections, the APRC will be voted out of office and that this has been indicated during the launching of the coalition in Brikama. "These people have suffered a lot and Gambians are determined to choose for the better" he added. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Top | Copyright | Privacy Policy | Advertising -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright © 2001 The Independent. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html You may also send subscription requests to [log in to unmask] if you have problems accessing the web interface and remember to write your full name and e-mail address. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------