Foroyaa: Announcements have been made that NRP, GPDP and GMC are going to put up candidates. What has happened to the United Front?

Halifa: The United Front is still alive. The nomination forms for the Presidential elections were distributed to the various parties that approached the IEC to collect them before the conclusion of the talks to establish a United Front. Our assumption is that the IEC simply announced the names of the parties that had collected forms to nominate candidates. I can reliably inform the general public that the GPDP has addressed a letter to the IEC to make it categorically clear that Mr Gomez will not stand as a candidate. Mr Hamat Bah has also accepted to stand as an Independent Candidate and is formally approaching the IEC to make his decision known.

Foroyaa: In effect you are saying that the legal consultation done by Mr Bah is complete.

Halifa: It is complete and he has convened a meeting with all the stakeholders to indicate that even though it is most difficult to resign from the NRP to stand as an Independent candidate he does appreciate that that would offer him the best opportunity to separate party and state and earn him confidence of all irrespective of party affiliation. It is indeed a supreme sacrifice that he never envisaged that he would make and he has earned our respect for making a difficult decision.

Foroyaa: Why have the people been put in suspense regarding the ticket of the presidential candidate since the election of a flagbearer?

Halifa: The flagbearer wanted to run on an NRP ticket while the parties recommended that he runs under an Independent ticket. It took time for the flag bearer to make a decision.

Foroyaa: Was this not made clear by the MOU?

Halifa: The MOU provides for the delegates to elect a flag bearer and determine candidature which could be either party led or independent candidature.

Foroyaa: Is this not confusing?

Halifa: It is not confusing if the explanation is clear. The Gambian people wanted everyone onboard so that we could have one candidate within the opposition to contest against the incumbent. It was recommended that proportional representation be introduced to enable the UDP to have its majority and then leave the delegates to select one person among the opposition to be the flag bearer. After the selection of the flagbearer a motion could then be introduced to propose that the delegates make a decision for the flag bearer to contest under a party ticket or an Independent ticket. When the motion is seconded and subjected to voting whatever the delegates decide would be accepted as binding to all. After electing the flagbearer on Thursday 3rd November 2011 a motion was put for him to stand on an Independent ticket. However, there was interruption after someone rose to second it. The delegates had not expected us to stay so long and they all rose and the chair just allowed them to call it a day. The issue of ticket of the flagbearer became inconclusive. Further discussions and consultation have enabled us to resolve the problem. Some saw the impasse as a sign of disunity, we saw is as the first attempt to exercise control and direction over the executive and make it to submit to the will of the people. The United Front is stronger and the members are building greater trust and confidence in each other as we debate and resolve matters on the basis of justice and fairplay.

Foroyaa: What advice do you wish to give the public?

Halifa: All those who support the United Front should listen to the radio for the time of nomination of the Independent Candidate and be ready to come out in their numbers to accompany him to the IEC for nomination. Those who wish to add their names to the nomination papers should contact Suwaibou Touray, Samba Baldeh, Saja Jarju, Ousman Sillah, Modou Sambou, Amie Sillah, Amie Sabally, Awa Bah or my office in Churchill Town any time today. A grand rally would also be held after the nomination at Bundung Bore hole. On Friday a convoy shall tour each of the five constituencies in the KMC area to distribute pictures and messages about the United Front. The opening procession and rally shall be done at the ebony junction close to Serekunda School on Saturday 12th November 2011. Each should make sure that one participates in this “know your self know your country, own your self own your country and save your self save your country” campaign so that the Gambian people would truly take charge of their destiny.