The
secretary general of United Democratic Party (UDP) has said the party has
pledged and is committed to working for the national interest first, foremost
and forever.
“We
vow to represent the interests of all citizens and residents in our
constituents, including those who voted for other parties and those who did not
support any party,” Mr Darboe said in a statement he issued at the weekend.
In
the statement, Mr Darboe thanked the electorate for overwhelmingly voting for
UDP candidates in the 6th April 2017 National Assembly elections.
UDP
won 31 of the 53 elected seats at the National Assembly; the remaining seats
were unevenly won by at least four contestants of political parties and one
independent candidate.
“As
secretary general of the United Democratic Party, it is with humility and
gratitude that I thank the people of The Gambia for the confidence they have
bestowed on the party I lead,” Lawyer Darboe said.
He affirmed that UDP parliamentarians would
work closely with coalition partners and others to support President Adama
Barrow’s reform and development programmes.
Darboe
said it is a sign of democratic maturity that people could have political
differences, yet work together closely and respectfully in the national
interest.
Below
is UDP secretary general’s verbatim statement
Fellow
Gambians, on the 6th day of April 2017, we, the blessed people of The Gambia,
exercised our democratic rights, and used our votes to elect our National
Assembly Members. I walked into the polling booth at Old Gamworks on Kairaba
Avenue and casted my vote. I congratulate Hon.
Assan
Touray for his election. He now represents me and all the people and residents
of Bakau Constituency at the National Assembly of The Gambia.
On
the 6th April 2017, we Gambians, with pride and purpose, elected 53 of our
compatriots to represent us at the body that makes the laws of the land. We
indeed elected the candidates under party tickets, but we expect them to
represent all of us as a nation irrespective of party affiliation.
As
Secretary General of the United Democratic Party (UDP), it is with humility and
gratitude that I thank the people of the Gambia for the confidence they have
bestowed on the party I lead.
We
pledge and commit to work for the national interest-first, foremost and
forever. We vow to represent the interests of all citizens and residents in our
constituents, including those who voted for other parties and those who did not
support any party. We look forward to working closely with coalition partners
and others to support President Adama Barrow’s reform and development
programmes.
We
pray that with this election, Gambia shall become a beacon of democratic enlightenment.
I predict that great parliamentarians will emerge from this batch of National
Assembly Members. I expect them to scrutinize the executive with vigilance and
competency, tempered by positivism and a mission for cooperation and united
action. I greatly regret the fact that we have such a small number of female
NAMs. I take this as an urgent challenge for UDP and other parties. It is now
our duty to start internal reforms aimed at achieving gender parity at the next
parliamentary elections. Our first test will be the municipal elections. A
nation that marginalizes its women sabotages its development.
Fellow
Gambians, as Secretary General of the majority party, and indeed on behalf of
all parties, I thank you most profoundly for the peaceful way you have
participated in the campaigns of the various parties and independent
candidates. Whatever the occasion, whatever the circumstances, for us Gambians,
it is always, Peace Forever.
We
are a nation of one family, united by blood ties and love of our people.
Whatever village or town you live in; whatever work you do; whichever language
you speak; whichever party you belong to; you are first and foremost, the
daughter or son of the land, this beloved land of The Gambia, this home and
abode of ours. Never forget that national interest surpasses any other
affiliations you may have.
Democratic
election is about fair competition amongst people and parties. Sometimes, there
are tensions; sometimes there is anger; yet always, there is love of our
country and our people. This is why we are a united and harmonious nation. It
is only three months, since we liberated our country from dictatorship through
peaceful means. Again, the whole world stands in admiration in the way we have
conducted the NAM campaign, in peace and good humour. This is our blessing as a
country. This is the new Gambia. Let us not allow anything to undermine this
noble heritage. Law and other, justice for all, democracy, development with
dignity-we strive and work for these virtues and shall never take them for
granted.
When
the results come in, for the candidates and parties, there will be winners and
losers; for citizens and the nation, there will be triumph for all. I expect to
see candidates that have lost, to reach out and congratulate the winners. I
expect to see the winners to embrace all their constituents and devote their
every fibre to public service for the national interest. This is because
winning an election is the decision of the people, and the voice of the people
is the voice of God. From party leaders, to candidates, to supporters, some
will be jubilant, some will be disappointed, but all of us must be thankful to
Allah, for helping our country embed democracy and peace in our political
system.
For candidates who are elected, you will serve all the people, without favour or ill will. Your duty and pride depends on how well you serve the national interest. In the new Gambia, there shall be respect and tolerance. It is a sign of democratic maturity that we can have political differences, yet we still work together closely and respectfully, in the national interest. We have a lot of work to do to rebuild our country, after 22 years of dictatorship. Fellow Gambians let us pray for our new parliamentarians, as they undertake the task of rectification, reform and transformation of the social and political economy of The Gambia.
Thank
you and God speed
Hon.
A.N.M Ousainou Darboe
