Ousainou Darboe, the re-elected United Democratic Party (UDP) Secretary General and the party leader has stressed that UDP will not accept any youth movement except the youth wing of the party.
He was addressing thousands of the party supporters, well-wishers and sympathizers at a massive political rally held at the Buffer Zone in Talinding after the end of the party’s three day congress on Sunday.
Amid the formation of Barrow Youth Movement of National Development meant to complement the efforts of President Adama Barrow in his development agendas.
“UDP recognizes only the United Democratic Party youth wing. Other than that youth wing, UDP does not recognize any other youth wing, or any other youth movement pretending to be UDP’S, “who unanimously goes unopposed as indicated.
UDP Leader said, he is optimistic that at the end of President Barrow’s mandate he will resign and come back to his home which he said is UDP.
“Any Chairman who thinks that he can hold UDP to ransom, he is deceiving himself and this applies to all, be it Councilors, National Assembly members, Chairmen, Majors and all elective post holders of the UDP,” Lawyer Darboe warned.
The UDP leader said that it will never be a business as usual any longer in the party as it prepares for the forthcoming election cycle amidst internal political wrangling that is currently simmering within.
“If anyone thinks that because he is a national assembly member or because of the amendment of section 19C; he can do something that may jeopardize the principles and values of the UDP, such a person is deceiving himself,” UDP Party leader warns members of his party. Some people are accused of engaging in galvanizing support for Adama Barrow ahead of Gambia’s next election.
He said that the United Democratic Party will never compromise its principles and values and will not hesitate to apply its laws to anybody, no matter the position of his status, be it National Assembly Member, Councilor, Mayor, or Party member.
“We will not hesitate to apply the party rules on anyone, no matter the rank of his standing, be it National Assembly Member, Councilor, Mayor, or Party chairman. It will never be a business as usual any longer, this is what I want you all to understand,” Darboe reiterates his warnings.
Addressing the national assembly members of the UDP, Darboe said their positions are post of honors and integrity, stressing that those national assembly members should not do anything insane that will put their integrity into question.
“National Assembly Members must be like Caesar’s wife, they must be above suspicion. Nobody should suspect them, they must not engage in anything that will taint their integrity because integrity matters a lot,” Darboe disclosed.
The UDP Leader added that National Assembly Members must avoid at all times any activity that may lead to the tainting of their integrity, stating that members should always remember that they were elected to serve based on trust and confidence, and these must not be compromise at any giving circumstances.
Darboe also recalled the events leading to the formation of the 2016 coalition of the opposition political parties that saw Barrow resignation from the UDP.
He paid homage to the founding fathers of the United Democratic Party who sacrifices everything including their lives in resisting dictatorship and tyranny, noting that their selfless sacrifices is what makes the party to stay vibrant.
He said UDP members must understand that Gambian peoples have strong respect and trust for the UDP and this must be jealously guided and nurtured.
Author: Kebba Ansu Manneh
