NCP Still Favours a Coalition, Sheriff Dibba Declares The Independent (Banjul) August 17, 2001 Posted to the web August 17, 2001 PK Jarju & Makalo Banjul, the Gambia Sheriff Dibba has said his National Convention Party (NCP) is still interested in any opposition coalition that could dislodge the APRC government from power. Speaking to reporters at his residence in Banjul Wednesday, Mr. Dibba also claimed that the NCP never opted out of the proposed coalition, but merely objected to some of the suggestions of the PPP, who were said to have been behind the nomination of Ousainou Darboe as leader of the coalition. Mr. Dibba who was among first-republic politicians affected by Decree 89 expressed optimism over the chances of an opposition alliance, which he said has been his party's main agenda since the repeal of the decree. He added that although there was no breakthrough in the recent inter-party meeting during which they opposed the nomination of UDP leader Ousainou Darboe as the coalition's flagbearer it was misleading to suggest that they have opted out of the coalition. "We are still interested in the coalition but the nomination of Mr. Darboe by the PPP was a treachery to the NC" he charged. He added that the whole issue was predetermined hence according to him the UDP has been sending secret errands across the country that it has been nominated to head the coalition. Mr. Dibba added that in view of the unsettled issue of an opposition coalition he would register his party in the coming days. However, he said the NCP is still open to inter party dialogue to determine the best way to resolve the prevailing leadership crisis. Mr. Dibba a veteran opposition leader, said it is inexplicable for the PPP to be keen on the leadership of Mr. Darboe as coalition head. He argued that as the leading opposition party before the 1994 military coup, that had undergone all sort of hardship the NCP is a political force to be reckoned with. He said they are not ambitious for positions but are only loyal to the national interest. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- _________________________________________________________________ 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------