The
jailing of the champion opposition leader in The Gambia seems to be a
confirmation to those who doubt the undemocratic nature of the government. But still we nurture many flag colors and
slogans from one political party to another.
Form one opposition party to the other with new ones embracing each
presidential election. Many of them
ambiguous and unceasing to coach clarity not of their own status but of their
compatriots.
Politics
is game and more a rivalry among opposing slogans but for Gambians it is about
gaming for costs and benefits for those who lead. It is as in accounting: the
balance sheet.
United
Democratic Party, the most popular opposition party, is losing its strong holds
not least because of its own dwelling missions. They want to hold power but for
decades they have being inconsistent in all their annual slogans and missions
for the masses. They dictate the rest of the opposition to follow them without
clearing the way. Their brave leader will have to be the same until death or
the demise of the party. This is the same situation in many African countries
though.
PDOIS
is recognized as an academic wagon instead of a political party with brilliant
memoranda so sophisticated for their masses. Not surprisingly Halifa, the
likely university lecturer, fails woefully in many of his lectures at public
gatherings and at elections; he knows well. He writes well but has not many
students to internalize his socialist doctrines.
Hamat
Bah and his NRP are another case in our local politics. Mr Bah is a politician unpredictable like any
market indicator. If he is to rule Fulladu, every part of the cow will be
beneficial yet he has not domesticated a lot himself. The symbol of the cow on
his flag might have been too heavy. He might have to start with managing hotels
well.
The
GMC party leader Mai Ahmed Fatty is no doubt an orator. If he should become the
next president, the Dubai slogan of the APRC will be easily attained. No
assumptions that the GMC must first establish its moral stance. They have to be
the preacher and the actor so they can cultivate followers.
An
international lawyer and an opposition correspondent outside the boundaries of
The Gambia will have to admit all criticisms. He is presumably the most
accurate opposition ambassador outside The Gambia. His rhetoric fantastic but
still has to boil down to his mass illiterates. His retrorockets against the
APRC are unique, what is unusual of an opposition is his “solo” political goals
and involvement with indigenes. Many still ask who he/she is.
GMC
might be the only party with crafted likely admissible memorandum for The
Gambia but the route to attain that is still ambiguous and mute. Mai might have
to stay in The Gambia to transparently engage with the masses. He has arguably
the best rhetoric among the rest.
The
one million party of Mr. Kandeh might have already received the worth of its
price. His masculine and feminine politics is gaining momentum not least from
those who have ambivalent feelings on his agenda. As new as his party is, he is
getting followers from even the strongest fanatics of APRC.
Kandeh
is assumed to be campaigning for the incumbent yet as an opposition party
leader. That is interesting, isn’t it?
This is happening and it will not surprise me if he comes out second at
the forthcoming election. His ambition
like all others is clear. He wants that throne and might get closer to it in
his dreams.
Many
other oppositions while trying to count some money together for the campaign,
they found paradise in blaming him of legitimizing the incumbent. They want him
to pay the million and sit down, relax and drink “attaya”. They anticipate for
the West to effect democratic change ignoring the poor status of the smiling
coast that does not welcome imperialists.
At
least Mr Kandeh seems to take the bull by the horn. He will never cease, he said. His followers,
many who cross-carpeted, are seemingly happier. They might be more at the polls
come December. The new minibus of GDC might take many people than it has seats
for and that will not surprise any political commentator.
After
a lot of propaganda to form a formidable coalition, the fragility of the
opposition was always noticed before reaching a table. Now counting more than a
decade, the Gambian opposition aren’t one, they can’t communicate but want to
lead the masses against the incumbent. One thing for certain is clear – most of
those parties are fundraising companies good at criticizing each other and
pulling each other’s legs while hanging on to the profit-making game.
