By: Modou Faye – UK
I had the opportunity to work for the government for eleven years at the same time participating in the politics in the down low meaning I don’t engage every tom dick and harry about politics and my political alignment because I was a civil servant.
Given the current predicament (internal disputes) within the UDP, it is imminent, considering the party’s size, particularly the flag bearer issue among young politicians and the current flag bearer. For the young politicians, Talib stands a better chance compared to the rest, mainly due to his ethnic background. For instance, Talib emerged victorious in the previous election not only with the support of the UDP alone, but also with that of other party members who had already perceived the party as the Mandinka party. Given the reasons mentioned above, he has been automatically, by divine power, given the opportunity to be a presidential candidate for the UDP, just as President Barrow, which many will consider very cheap.
Would Talib meet the people’s expectations as the president? The ongoing Local Government Commission on KMC has revealed so many management mishaps (appointment of employees and financial mismanagement) under his watch, which actually rated him low, as far as I am concerned. I know people will argue that he lacks support from the government, but has he taken any radical measures apart from Sainabou Martin’s case? This is a party that will go to great lengths to support its candidates, even though they may not meet our expectations.
The country needs changes: numerous corruptions that go unpunished, a high cost of living, and skyrocketing prices of basic items, all due to poor governance.
The daunting challenge: Will Talib be able to combat corruption, which is the root of the nation’s development, and alter the mindset of the citizenry regarding the tribal politics cultivated by the Jammeh administration and nurtured by the Barrow administration?
Most importantly, the system change without which a country can’t move forward, previous administrations and the current one have woefully failed to effect system change due to greed, selfishness, and self-entrenchment in power. Imagine that the system we have (the colonial system) doesn’t reflect the public’s demand and needs.
Whether we like it or not, tribal politics is predominant and in full swing in the country, which has eventually turned out to be a blessing in disguise for a would-be potential presidential candidate, as he is from a minority tribe.
The UDP needs to reconcile with these realities and accept the natural /prevailing circumstances to give it the chance to lead us to the statehouse come 2026.
Personally, it wasn’t easy for me to reconcile with these facts, but I can’t help it. I might be guilty of giving Barrow another opportunity to continue ruining our country’s economy.
Long live UDP!
For The Gambia, Our Homeland….
