Gambian President Adama Barrow is set to outdoor his new political party after months of wrangling over his continuous stay in power.
It comes in the wake of intense pressure on him to step down from the coalition of parties that brought him into power.
In a facebook post President Barrow confirmed that he will launch his party in a spectacular way.
‘’I have also taken the opportunity to respond to the call for me to form a political party, which we shall do later this month. The formal launching will be done in 2020.
Our experience on the tour will certainly guide us to do better in our planning in line with our development agenda.’’
According to President Barrow he is motivated to form his political party after he had a first-hand experience meeting the people who encourage him to fulfil his political agenda.
‘’During the past 22 days, I have traveled the length and breadth of the country hearing firsthand experience of the impact of the policies and programs of my government on lives and livelihoods of the people at the grassroots . Their real life testimonies are really encouraging and generally show that things are moving in the right direction” he said.
Defense from aides
Dembo Bojang a political adviser to the president told a gathering in Tallinding buffer zone that he advised Barrow to form his own party since he is the right man for the job.
“We fought Jawara for 17 years. Jammeh came and removed him by the gun. For 22 years we couldn’t remove Jammeh. President Barrow came and stood for us and removed him within three months.
Barrow had said in one of his meetings that he was wearing someone’s dress and he was going to remove it and wear his own dress. I want to say we will stand behind Barrow. We will girdle a wrestling pant for Adama Barrow and he will wear his own dress” he said.
Coalition 2016 Agreement
On 14th October 2016 seven opposition parties and the independent presidential aspirant agreed to field candidate Adama Barrow then deputy treasurer and Presidential candidate of the United Democratic Party (UDP) to wrestle power from Yahya Jammeh.
The other parties were the People’s Democratic Organisation for Independence and Socialism (PDOIS), the National Reconciliation Party (NRP), the Gambia Moral Congress (GMC), the National Convention Party (NCP), the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and the Gambia Party for Democracy and Progress (GPDP).
The independent female candidate and anti-female genital mutilation activist Dr Isatou Touray and a civil society group headed by Fatoumatta Tambajang also joined the coalition.
It was agreed that Barrow will rule for 3 years and later resign to pave way for fresh elections for other candidates.
Barrow defeated Yahya Jammeh and was sworn in officially on the 18th January 2017.
He promised to rule for 3 years and resign after the transitional period.
But Barrow has now rescinded his decision since he is empowered by the constitution to rule for 5 years.
Source: Africafeeds.com
