By: Sekou Hydara
The secretary general of Gambia for five has strenuously defended the appointment of Abdul Willan, an ex-convict as assistant secretary of the group.
Critics of the movement has pointed fingers at Abdul Wilan, Assistant Secretary of Gambia for Five Years of been an ex-convict who did not even participated in the last elections due to his incarceration at the state prison, arguing that such a personality who did not participate in the electioneering process of 2016/17 have no moral rights to tell The Gambians to honor the constitution.
Speaking at the group’s new conference at a local hotel in Bakau, Ebrima Sorrie Bah said:“about the Assistant Secretary General getting convicted fine, we are not holding any public offices, The Gambia for five years is not a public office and nothing stop the Assistant Secretary General or anybody convicted to serve in the maintenance of peace and stability of the country. I don’t think the laws have that limitation for anybody, he is not occupying any government office or entity.”
Secretary General of Pro-Barrow group has emphatically defended the appointment of Abdul Willan to the position of Assistant Secretary General of the group, stating that there is nothing wrong for the ex-convict to handle such a position in the group as long as he is there for the interest of the nation.
He added: “In fact, the Assistant Secretary General has contributed immensely financially, morally, spiritually, intellectually in the building of Gambian society more than anybody who criticizes him. He said been to all radio stations, television stations and online medium to propagate peace in the country more than anyone criticizing him.
it will be unfair to single out his assistance out of the lots that are propagating for the five years constitutional mandate to be respected by the President, Willan is a patriot who is always ready to work for the interest of the nation ahead of personal and family interest, he said.
Ebrima Sorrie Bah also denied reports that the Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC) and the Alliance for Patriotic Reconciliation and Construction (APRC) are not supporting their course and their leaders have since come out to urges their supporters not to support any activist group.
“I want to refute the proclamation that GDC and APRC have made it clear to their supporters not to partake in our protest, we are not aware of such statements from the officials of these parties. In fact, these supporters and militants joining us from these parties have voted for the five years, so whether their party leaders make such statements or not their supporters will join us,” SG Gambia for Five Year explained.
He added: “It is only UDP that have made official declaration for their supporters not to join our crusade but I can tell you none of the other political parties made a declaration for their supporters not to support our crusade.”
