UDP’s Ousainou Darboe assured of victory in NBR

Ousainou Darboe

(THE POINT) Communities in the North Bank Region have assured the leader of the main opposition United Democratic Party, Ousainou Darboe, of a landslide victory in the forthcoming presidential polls due next week Thursday.

The assurance was made to the UDP leadership Wednesday during political rallies held in the villages of Essau, Fass Njaga Choi, Ndungu Kebbeh, Baddibu Katchang and Baddidu Salikene as part of the UDP party’s campaign for the coming polls.

At the Baddibu Katchang meeting, where UDP supporters chanted, “It’s time for a change,” speaker after speaker assured Darboe of victory, stressing that “victory for the UDP is a foregone conclusion.”

Speaking at various meetings, UDP leader Ousainou Darboe thanked his party militants for the rousing welcome accorded him and his delegation, something he said was a clear manifestation that President Jammeh has lost.

He reiterated his earlier position that the coming presidential election is between the Gambian people and the current regime, noting that Gambians have suffered enough under the APRC regime.

“The economy of the country is stagnant; the prices of basic communities are escalating on a daily basis, while meager salaries of civil servant cannot afford to feed their family and pay rent,” Darboe said, adding that a UDP government will put a stop to this state of affairs.

According to him, in order to put an end to this situation, Gambians must vote for the UDP, which he said has the interest of the electorate at heart.

“We are not used to begging; we are not beggars, but today the whole country has turned to beggars. This is not the people’s will, but conditions force them to do it,” he stated.

He called on his supporters to remain calm, observe the rule of law, desist from violence and secure their votes from falling into the wrong hands.

“I know some people will come here to give money, which they have not done before, but I can assure you that today they will come. So you have to say “No” to that, because it is your votes that can determine your future,” the UDP leader urged the electorate.

 Darboe also told his audience that a lot of unfortunate incidents have happened under the Jammeh administration, citing the disappearance of journalists, politicians and security officers.

He called on government to open transparent investigation into such cases.

Describing Mai Fatty, leader of the opposition Gambia Moral Congress, GMC, as a true son of The Gambia who has made sacrifices, Darboe said the return of Mai Fatty back to the country demonstrates the love he has for the country.

“This alliance of UDP, GMC, PPP, and NCP will be a catalyst for change in this country. The story of today’s Gambia is a sad one, so we’ve come together as one to rescue The Gambia from sinking,” he told party militants.

The UDP leader called on the people of North Bank Region to vote massively for a UDP-led government, which will bring about true national development.

Also speaking at various meetings, the UDP Propaganda Secretary and the chair of the National Organising Committee, Shyngle Nyassi, called on the people of the North Bank Region to vote massively for the UDP so as to enjoy their rights as citizens.

Nyassi, a long-time critic of the Jammeh administration, told the electorate to nurture the peace and stability in the country, during and after the election.

Tida Sabally of Batanding Wolof, Lamin Kumba Jarju of Bakang village and the UDP regional and district chairman in the North Bank Region all spoke at different meetings, and assured the UDP of victory.