The Daily Observer (Banjul)
26 April 2011
editorial
It is now a little over 16 years since The Gambia fell into the benevolent hands of a visionary and dynamic leadership. This short period witnessed robust development undertakings and huge investments in the national economy, thus emancipating this country from the shackles of collective backwardness and placing it on a strong footing for national reconstruction and development. Today, the realities of the state of affairs of the country has made it evident that if there exists attitudinal change on the part of the citizenry particularly the youth, the country would in due course achieve the objectives of the Vision 2020 development blueprint.
These plain realities undoubtedly explain the increasing popularity of President Jammeh and the APRC. There are also indications that the party is set to retain the Wuli East National Assembly seat in a by-election that would be held in a week’s time, as well as score a landslide victory in the upcoming presidential poll slated for November 24th 2011. It is not surprising that the APRC which is synonymous with development has earned the backing of the opposition NRP stronghold of Upper Saloum.
The development which is of course not new on The Gambia’s political landscape shows that Gambians are more than determined to affirm their loyalty and support to the APRC. This is due to the fact that of all the political parties in the country, it is the APRC that is entrenched on the ground and has the privilege of being accepted at the grassroots. Gambians are also aware of the remarkable achievements of the ruling party, ranging from infrastructural development to economic expansion in agriculture, health and education, among others.
Besides, it is certain that one of the most fundamental principles of democracy is freedom of political choice. This freedom is entrenched by the prevalence of multiple political parties which struggle to earn the favours of the people. The party that best understands the problem of the people and present before them, tangible programmes for constructive development and progress is voted for to constitute the government. The losing party(s) become the opposition.
The opposition therefore has as one of its functions, criticising government when things go wrong and commending it for honouring its contract with the people. In so doing, when a genuine opposition realises that the ruling party is not relenting in its effort to fulfilling the needs and aspirations of the people, and is approaching national development with robust and tangible programmes, he/she should join that ruling party so that collectively, national development undertakings can be galvanized and sustained.
This is what the people of Upper Saloum have realised. We therefore wish to take this solemn opportunity to congratulate all those who have defected from the opposition camp to join the ruling APRC for making a wise decision. They can be assured that they have joined a party of renewed hope, progress and development, and they will never regret their decision.
Whilst we wish the new defectors all the best for joining the wagon of progress and development, we also wish to take this opportunity to once again remind Gambians that come November 24th, it is a moral obligation upon us all to vote massively for the APRC and in so doing, prove that Gambians are and will always remain on the side of development.
AllAfrica – All the Time
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