Purpose of political party is nation-building – Halifah

Mr Sallah was speaking at a news conference convened by PDOIS at its Churchill’s Town bureau to inform journalists and members of the public about the recent congress held between 29 and 31 July.

Deliberating at the conference, Mr Sallah said: “PDOIS said that at the end of this electoral cycle (2021 and 2023), the Gambian people need to open up a national conversation on the way forward for The Gambia. We felt that we would start from within before we move to introduce the same conversation with the Gambian people.

“You will bear with me to see exactly what the theme of our congress was. Building the party fit for shaping the political will of the people for system change in our lifetime. The beginning of a constructive, intraparty conversation with clarity and conviction to fulfil contract with country and people.

The veteran politician said that their congress was situated on four fundamental pillars: “Fundamentally, number one is the sovereign person. We are convinced that irrespective of whether a person is a member of PDOIS or not, individually, he has a contract with country and people.

“The contract may be fulfilled or be failed, but for us as a congress we call upon every member to take a stand and ensure that what makes a commitment to fulfil one’s contract with people and commitment. We explored what that meant, and we will tell you exactly what we decide on that cope.”

He said that the second dimension was about the party itself, since every individual has a right to freedom of association, and that PDOIS also has members. He added that they had to interrogate their “duty in building the party” and what the “duty of that party is as far as the contract exists.”

“We also came to the third pillar, that preparing something, preparing a party must be for a purpose, and the purpose is to build a country. We had to examine the state of affairs in our country and what we need to do as individuals and severally as a party to be able to assess the needs and aspirations of our people,” he furthered.

Finally, Mr Sallah said that PDOIS is aware that it is not an island and must not promote narrow nationalism, which is taking root. “The congress dealt with these four elements, and looking at our country,” he said.