On
1December 2016, the attention of the world focuses on The Gambia as the country
heads to the presidential election.
This
serves as a unique opportunity, once in every five years, for the electorate to
choose a political leader who will be charged with running the affairs of this
country for the coming five years.
The
current political climate of the country can be seen one of a rising
temperature, following completion of the nomination process for the three aspiring
political leaders cleared by IEC to contest for the highest position in this
land.
These
candidates have already completed their nationwide political campaigns, after
crisscrossing the length and breadth of the country to convince the masses to
vote for them.
Therefore,
it is imperative for citizens who are eligible to vote, to turn out in their
large numbers and vote for their candidate of choice, on Election Day.
In
fulfilling this constitutional mandate, I implore on citizens to vote maturely
in a peaceful and orderly manner within the highest standard of discipline.
Let
the electorate maintain peace, tranquility and harmony, which the country is
best known for, during the pre and post-election periods.
Let
the people be aware and give a deaf reception to detractors and enemies of
peace, who are hell bent on plunging the country into chaos for their selfish
and ulterior motives, using the social media as their base to launch such
attacks.
Peace
is the cornerstone to all social, cultural, economic and human development
initiatives geared towards the positive advancement of any society, and The
Gambia is no exception to this phenomenon.
One
does not need to attain a PhD or Master’s degree in peace studies or management
in order to know the significance of peace, just take a snapshot of atrocities
unfolding in conflict-ridden countries like DRC, Syria, Yemen, Libya and Iraq,
to name but a few battered by wars and civil unrest.
It
can be universally concluded that peace is a multi-billion dollar unique commodity
that cannot be easily procured, but needs to be cherished and jealously guarded
by those enjoying it, at all cost.
Elections,
political leaders and regimes may come and go, but The Gambia and its citizens
are here to stay. Politics should rather unite Gambians as one nation in
strengthening our brotherhood and sisterhood for the common good, not divide
us.
There
should not be any violence during, before and after the election; let us
maintain the peace and cast our votes in a transparent and legal way to avoid
chaos and conflict.
It
is also mandatory to all citizens with voters’ cards to come out in large
numbers and elect a leader for the next five years, because your cards are your
choices and it decides.
May
Allah the Almighty shower his infinite and richest blessings, protection and
good guidance upon The Gambia and its people at all cost.
God
bless the Islamic Republic of The Gambia, with peace, peace and uninterrupted
peace now and forever in this beautiful and blessed country of The Gambia.
Remember
your Voter’s Card is your voice, and it decides!