By: Sulayman Waan
The coalition three years agreement has become a controversial issue in The Gambia’s political arena as many expressed their opinions. Some people argued that President Adama Barrow should step down after serving three years while his political comrades defended the constitutional order.
Speaking to The Voice in an interview recently, Dudu Kassa Jatta, a member of United Democratic Party’s said his opinion on this national controversial debate is that hence President Barrow made an agreement with his colleagues to step down after three years; then, he should fulfill the agreement.
“If Gambians decide that President Barrow should leave after serving three years, let him step down,” he stated.
He said the political leaders who are advocating for President Barrow to stay for five years in office can’t get even 1% of the votes, adding they ought to understand that government and President come and go but the country stay.
“We all know these political leaders (Barrow’s comrades) how they are. They are hungry for power. In fact they are supporting Barrow because they are in positions, when Amad Mai Fatty was sacked he was opposing President Barrow on this issue and said they (coalition members) agreed on three years term.”
Pateh Baldeh, public relation officer for the National Reconciliation Party (NRP) said hence his party is concern the President Barrow’s administration will continue until 2021. He said the debate is now coalition’s agreement versus constitution and Gambians should comply with the constitution instead of the agreement.
“Everyone has the right to speak his or her opinion and criticize government on certain issues because this is what we were yearning for when we wanted changes but we should obey the constitution,” he asserted.
He added that even the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) doesn’t have the mandate to organize presidential elections before 2021, because organizing presidential elections in 2020 is a violation of the constitution.
“In fact, IEC have not conducted any voters’ registration yet and many people have to register to enable them partake in the election.”
He added that his party is on consultation with its members in order to inform them that NRP is supporting the five year term instead of the coalition agreement, adding swing the elections to 2021 will in fact avail political leaders to sell their agendas before the time arises.
Momodou MC Cham, national youth mobilizer for the Gambia Democratic Party (GDC) said President Barrow should honor the three years agreement and step down after serving 3 years. He stated that the matter is not about the coalition members but it was made between President Barrow and the Gambia’s electorate.
“The coalition members made an agreement with him just to lead for three years after that he would hand over power and they (coalition) will conduct elections. This is a national issue and he should honour the agreement,” he said.
According to him, the people who are calling on President Barrow to continue power until 2021 are less than 9% of the population. They are advocating for President Barrow to stay for five years because they are defending their positions.
However, Momodou Musa Njie, secretary general and leader of the People Progressive Party (PPP) said hence the coalition members are yet to conclude their discussion his party doesn’t want to make any comment concerning this contradict national debate [three or five years]. But he was quick to add that whenever, the coalition’s chair announce the meeting’s report his party will revealed its stand on this debate.
