Issued Tuesday 28 March 2017
Omar
Jallow alias OJ - PPP leader and Gambia’s Agriculture minister, during a
political rally held at Latrikunda German organised by the PPP KM Committee,
called on party supporters to do away with tribal politics and ensure that
national interest supersedes individual party interests.
Addressing
supporters at a political rally on Thursday, 24 April 2017, Hon. Jallow
described the recent Coalition breakup in the run-up to the National Assembly
election as elements of betrayal and selfish attitudes among Coalition members.
“Among
reasons for the Coalition breakup in the run-up to the parliamentary elections
was because some party leaders, such as the UDP, said he did not want his
political party to die.
“For
PPP, what we see is national interest. That is why we participated in forming
the Coalition and, consequently, defeated Yahya Jammeh in the 1st December 2016
Presidential elections.
“I
refused to contest the 2001 and 2006 Presidential Elections because we were not
united, and I knew without unity we can’t defeat Jammeh, who was supported by
people from all tribes. The support to Jammeh was not based on tribal lines.
“The
brutalities Jammeh’s rule meted out to Gambians were not perpetuated by Jolas
alone, but other tribes too. Therefore, if we are to punish, everybody has to
be punished and, if we are to forgive, everybody will be forgiven,” said the
PPP leader.
He
said most of the divisions in politics are linked to tribal differences and
selfish politics. He spoke against disunity and called on all to look at
Gambia’s interest first, above individual interests.
“God
wants unity and that is why with the help of God we defeated Yahya Jammeh in
the December polls after forming a coalition.”
He
said Ousainou Darboe’s UDP has been contesting against Jammeh’s APRC government
during his 22 years rule, but was unable to defeat him. Adama Barrow came after
Gambians looked at Gambia’s interest only, and eventually defeated Jammeh
within a few months.
“This
is a manifestation that Allah/God supports unity; that is why people go to
mosques and churches to worship the Lord in groups,” he added.
OJ
said the element of betrayal came about in the run-up to National Assembly
elections, as some of the parties, including UDP, NRP and GDP decided to form a
tactical alliance.
“I
disagreed with formation of tactical alliance, and requested that we all
contest under Independent ticket and remain under Adama Barrow’s Coalition
Government. Since Ousainou Darboe and colleagues did not agree, we now decided
that we all contest under our individual parties.
“Now
those who were forming tactical alliance are contesting against each other in
various constituencies,” he said, adding that “for PPP, what we see is The
Gambia.”
“If
PPP’s death is The Gambia’s peace, then let PPP die and The Gambia have peace.
Let’s look at national interest above party interest,” he said, adding: “Don’t
allow any party leader to be better than yourself. We are all equal. Party
leaders should be seen as servants of the people. People must not fear their
party leaders or feel that their party leaders are better than them.”
