The
first-ever National Youth Rally organised by the ruling APRC party youth wing
was held in the provincial capital of Basse, in the Upper River Region, from 29
September to 3 October 2016, on the theme: “Prepare to consolidate the gains
and commit ourselves for self-reliance.”
Thousands
of party youths and APRC heavyweight gathered to showcase, express and register
their deepest sense of loyalty and gratitude to President Jammeh for
championing their cause since his assumption of power in 1994.
Speaking
at the meeting, the Governor of URR, Omar Sampo Ceesay, told the youths that
APRC had done a lot for the country, especially the youths, since 1994 up to
date and “the youths are among his number one priority”.
League
Mawdo Suso, URR Regional Youth Mobiliser, urged the youths to ensure they stand
behind President Yahya Jammeh because everything that has been done was done
especially for the youths.
He
said “the opposition leaders are just following their own interest” but not the
interest of the people of the country.
“If
you follow the opposition you will perish,” he told the youths. “Give your
votes to the ruling party.”
Also
speaking, the ruling APRC General Mobiliser, Mayor Yankuba Colley, urged the
youths to use their votes to express their gratitude to President Jammeh
because he had done a lot for them.
He
stated that President Jammeh “loves the youths so dearly that most of the
positions in the government are handled and managed by the youths”.
The
APRC Youth Mobiliser, Hon. Babu Gaye Sonko, in his remarks, said President
Jammeh “is very happy with the youths of the country” because “they are very
cooperative with him”.
He
commended President Jammeh for what he had done and is still doing for the
youths of the country and for maintaining the peace and stability of the
country, “which the people are enjoying every day”.
“We
should thank him so much for his loyalty, honesty and trustworthiness and for
making us believe in him and we will forever rally behind him,” he said.
Hon.
Fatou Lamin Faye, Minister for Basic and Secondary Education, commended the
youths for going out and express their gratitude to President Jammeh.
“We
are gathered here to prepare the youths for December 1, which is just at the
corner,” she said.
“So,
therefore, I’m urging the youths to come out and vote for the ruling APRC party
come December 1, because the majority is youth and you play a very vital role
in the development of the country and the APRC party,” she added.
Hon.
Bala Garba Jahumpa, Transport and Works Minister, said that all the
developments people are seeing in the country is due to President Jammeh’s
efforts, especially as regards good roads, businesses and good airport, “which
is one of the best in the world”.
“The
only thing we can do is just to vote him in again and let him continue to rule
us as long as he needs,” he said.
The
Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Abdoulie Bojang, speaking at the rally,
said everybody is seeing and benefiting from what the President has been doing
since 1994.
