By: Momodou Justice Darboe
The UDP’s image-maker Mr. Almamy Taal has admitted that the UDP was blindsided by the resignation of Mr. Momodou Sabally from the party.
Mr. Sabally on Wednesday communicated his resignation to the UDP and Thursday declared his allegiance to the NPP.
“It came out of the blue and there was no immediate causal reason for it and he did not provide any reason whatsoever for his resignation. So, as such, we take it in good faith and acknowledge the work he has done for the party. He has been in the executive for one year and campaign manager. Before that, he was an ordinary member of the party. We appreciate the time he spent with us,” Taal said when this medium sought his reaction to the resignation of Mr. Sabally. He added: “But you know that UDP is more diversified in terms of experience than any political party [in The Gambia. Not simply one lawyer or one accountant, we have quite a few professional Gambians, who have been with the UDP for 25 years and some for the last decade.”
When put to him that many people believed that Sabally’s resignation from the UDP would dampen the spirits of the UDP executive and rank and file, Taalresponded:“It’s because they are not good students of the political history of The Gambia. I am sure you will remember Lamin Waa Juwara, who was a very prominent Gambian. He was [regional] Commissioner and I think he was a deputy permanent secretary in the Jawara regime. At the founding of the UDP, he was among the founding fathers. He was a great orator and a distinguished Gambian. When he left the UDP to form a party, a lot of people were saying the same thing. So, another distinguished Gambian has joined and left the party to join the NPP. But you will remember His Excellency, the President, was treasurer to the UDP before he became the flagbearer of the UDP.”
According to Taal, UDP has become the citadel of political education in The Gambia.
“We have now become the University of Gambia’s political education. Our people have become ministers, vice president, and president; people who have their roots from the UDP. So really, there is no change in the pulse and determination of Gambians to support the UDP and it’s another day in the life of our politics and we wish Sabally all the best in his future endeavors,” he stated.