Gambians have been used to the politics of mudslinging, sentimentalism and patronage. What therefore matters to the electorate is the crumbs they can get which may solve one or two immediate problems but will not eradicate their poverty for the next five years.
But the politics of issues, which some politicians in the first republic used to call ‘textbook politics’ is now gaining prominence. More and more citizens are now considering the issues at stake.
The Gambia is a country where poverty, injustice and ignorance prevail and their effects permeate all sectors of society. Six candidates have offered themselves to solve the multitude of problems of the country. The duty and interest of the electorate is to interrogate all the candidates to know who is best suited to solve the problems of the country. This tantamount to making an informed choice.
This is why the presidential debate, which we hope will be attended by all the candidates, is of great significance. Its prevelance would give sway to the politics of issues which is crucial to the democratisation process.
