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UDP promises better government

Feb 2, 2016, 9:53 AM | Article By: Dawda Faye

Lawyer Ousainou Darboe, leader of the opposition United Democratic Party (UDP), has said a UDP government would change the lives of Gambians for the better.

Darboe was speaking to a large crowd at a political rally organised by the UDP at Bakau Sanchaba on Sunday 31 January 2016.

Addressing the gathering, Darboe told his supporters that it had been a long time since such a meeting was held in Bakau, further stating that he was very impressed by the turnout.

He said the youths and the women had come out in large numbers because they needed a change. He, therefore, urged the youths to register to be able to vote in the upcoming presidential election.

Darboe added that the people of the Kanifing Municipality want a change, as the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) have “disappointed the municipality”.

KMC were “not putting the taxpayers’ money into good use”, the UDP leader said, adding that residents of KMC should enjoy the services for which they pay their money.

He also lamented the condition of the Bakoteh dumpsite, saying it poses a serious health hazard to the community, and that the KMC has “not been doing anything” to change the situation.

Darboe said he did not agree with those who said “President Jammeh could not be removed” through the ballot box, adding that they were just discouraging the youths from registering because they supported the President. Lawyer Darboe further said that when the UDP comes to power, they would change the lives of Gambians.

He declared that calling The Gambia an Islamic Republic “is unconstitutional”, adding that The Gambia is a secular state.

Darboe said the UDP are united, and that there was no division within the party, emphasizing that come the 2016 presidential election, UDP would “emerge victorious”.

Dembo Bojang, the National President of the UDP, who is also the former National Assembly member for Bakau, thanked the elders of Bakau Sanchaba for their contribution to the development of Bakau.

He said their huge turnout had shown that the UDP has massive support in Bakau, which includes the youths and the elderly people of the community.

He urged the youths and all the people of Bakau Sanchaba to prepare themselves to get people to contest under the UDP ticket in the Local Government and the National Assembly elections.

Momodou Lamin Sanneh, former National Assemly member for Kiang West, told the crowd that Gambians were ready to bring a change of government through the ballot box, to ensure the country is properly governed.

He said when the UDP is voted into power, they would respect the laws and people of the country.

He also dwelt on “the hardship Gambians are facing”.

Mr Sanneh said it was wrong to refuse to develop areas of the country where opposition candidates were elected, adding that those in the opposition are also taxpayers.

He also urged farmers to work on their own farms to realize something for themselves, their families and the nation.

Speakers on the occasion included Yusupha Cham, Penda Sey, Sambou Conteh, Ya Safy Conteh, Peseh Njie and Kemeseng Jammeh.