Sheikh Tijan Hydara, Leader of the yet to be registered political party called “The Gambia Alliance for National Unity (GANU) observed that the country is in real dire need of a strong, honest, upright and committed leader, who can steer the affairs of the country and her people towards achieving the desire sustainable development objectives.
Mr Hydara made this observation while speaking in an exclusive interview with Freedom Radio, which is one of The Gambia’s prime time Leral show. The prospective politician noted that if he is elected into office and after the country’s transition period to democratic rule, he will usher in a corruption free, democratic and prosperous Gambia, that would be the envy of the world.
For Mr Hydara, The Gambia is not only in need of strong leadership that does not just have a vision, but also does not have a realistic plan that would transform the lives of our people, so that they can live in dignity and to have adequate access to social services and economic opportunities.
He described his prospective political party as a party that is going to be with a difference, saying will not only be responsive to the needs of Gambian people, but they will also create an enabling environment in which citizens will live in dignity.
Hydara told Freedom Radio that The Gambia is currently faced with complex and challenging economic nightmare threatening the lives of the citizenry. He said there is hunger and abject poverty in the country, and that if not tackled with urgency, it could pose a humanitarian situation in the foreseeable future.
There is real hunger in this country. People are starving. The cheapest bag of rice called Saddam costs nothing less than D1, 500 dalasi. How many people earn more than D2, 000 dalasis in this country, Mr Hydara questioned and then suggested the need to revamp the economy, youth and women empowerment, fixing collapsed heath sector, agriculture, and education are top on his party’s priority when elected.
He added that they are confident of victory come the next elections and that the problem of poor teachers’ pay and negligence of Government workers will be a thing of the past once GANU assumes office.
Hydara contends that The Gambia cannot develop, if a war on corruption is not declared. Hence, he said, that’s why he deems it imperative to make sure that corruption is weeded out in the country if elected.
“We will make sure that corruption is eradicated completely in The Gambia. We will make sure that the world will know that there is a credible government in The Gambia that has the interest of Gambians and it is committed to advancing the living standards of her citizens. I will lead by example. I am not corrupt. I am corruption free,” he declared.
Hydara said he cares about the country and her people that’s why he decided to jump into the political ring. He said his decision to form a political party is not motivated by money or getting rich.
“I think if it is moneymaking, I wouldn’t go into politics. Politics will take money from me. Right now, I am sacrificing for the people of The Gambia. To go into politics, it is even a risk because you can invest everything and loose everything; losing all. What my private practice is giving me, I think it is enough. I think I can live on that till I die. I have other businesses. I have a yogurt company; and I have cows. I think I don’t need government money. I don’t need money from the coffers of the government,” he said.
“The Gambia Alliance for National Unity (GANU) is born out of a desire to fill a void long over sighted by politicians and political parties here in The Gambia. GANU seeks to provide a practical solution to the already existing daily challenges of The Gambian people. In our view, when a person knows what they could achieve together, they will desire to move heaven and earth to achieve that and GANU will be there to provide that leadership,” he remarked.