By Aja Musu Bah Daffeh
President Jammeh, the APRC candidate at a mass rally in Brikama in Kombo Central on Thursday 24 November 2016 asserted
that “violence will not be entertained as this is the 22nd year of politics in the Gambia.” “Democracy and politics have nothing to do with violence, so cast your votes in peace…” says President Jammeh.
He advised the APRC supporters not to insult or violate the opposition rights in anyway but that has not guaranteed the opposition too to be violent towards the APRC entourage. “I am not afraid of any power in this world so therefore I will not allow anyone to dupe the peace and tranquility of my Nation,” President Jammeh asserted.
Supporters of the APRC from Brikama and its surrounding areas came out in their thousands to welcome the president and his delegation.
President Jammeh speaking at the rally, said in 1994 he indicated that there will come a day when Gambians will not seek for assistance to develop this country and that has manifested itself today because the government has catered all human necessities. He urged all those with voters’ cards to vote as it is part of one’s civic rights to so as it shows ‘who you are affirms your voice’.
President Jammeh noted that the reason why casting votes are done in secret is because it is believed that everyone should vote for his/her choice, and also for the maintenance of peace and security in the nation.
Balla Garba Jahumpa, The Minister of Works and Infrastructure who doubles as the campaign manager for 2016, described the President as the father of the underprivileged. He said that since the transition, President Jammeh has been empowering the women, giving them tractors and all the necessary farming equipment, so he therefore advised the women not to allow anyone to mislead or misinform them.
He continued to say that President Jammeh has obtained sponsorship for many Gambian students to Cuba, China and Venezuela in order for them to further their education. Mr Jahumpa noted that politics is about Nation building therefore, if the Nation is developed women and youths benefit the most. In order to get that development, he urged the people of Kombo Central to massively vote for President Jammeh.
The Mayor for Kanifing Municipality, Yankuba Colley said that they are doing their campaign based on none violence because that’s what the President advised and advocates for.
Mayor Colley noted that this year’s election is a competition among constituencies as well as regions in order to elevate their percentage, noting that he who wants to defect to APRC should do so now before it is too late, if not after election they will welcome no one in the party.
Sifaye Hydara the Governor for WCR said the people of Kombo Central stand for peace and harmony noting that the turnout of the people in welcoming the President in WCR has never happened since the 1994 ‘revolution’. She however cautioned them that their support should be translated into votes.
Governor Hydara stressed that before the ‘revolution’ Gambia was practically left behind but now President Jammeh has made Gambia a well-known country in the world. She noted that he is tirelessly working for the development of the nation and she described him as the champion of empowering the people of his country.
A defector from UDP, Momodou Jarju expressed his greatest regrets for being a UDP follower for the past years. He contrasted the vast difference between APRC and the UDP.
He said President Jammeh is working tirelessly to ensure the nation’s development, adding that he will massively defeat the opposition.
