Barrow should be guided to rule this country — PDOIS’ Sillah

By Isatou Jawara Ousman Sillah, the PDOIS candidate for Banjul North Constituency, has said that President Barrow needs honest and dedicated citizens in the National Assembly to ensure that he is guided to adhere to the principles of democracy, human rights, justice, rule of law and good governance. Sillah was addressing his first rally on Tobacco Road over the weekend in Banjul. He said he is not seeking for a salary, privilege but the mandate of the people to continue the political work he has been doing for more than three decades now. “I was simply carrying out a national duty and I’m now asking for your endorsement, the electorate of Banjul North, to serve the country at this level,” said the aspiring PDOIS candidate. Mr. Sillah assured the audience that he wants to give effect to the true role of a National Assembly Member by being the ‘eyes, ears and mouth’ of the Gambian people at this law-making and national oversight body. The PDOIS candidate explained how the opposition came together, by putting the supreme interest of the nation and people before personal or partisan interest, to form Coalition 2016 which brought President Adama Barrow to office, as an independent candidate owned by all who worked for and desired a democratic and peaceful change. He assured the electorate of Banjul North that, if elected, he will be a strong proponent of the Coalition 2016 Manifesto, to ensure the realisation of the election promises made by the eight stakeholders to put in place constitutional, institutional and administrative reforms that would build a solid democratic foundation for The Gambia. He explained how he had submitted himself, with the full approval of his party, to a process initiated by an independent non-partisan group and whose outcome he had earlier pledged to respect, even if it meant the selection of another candidate. “In addition to discharging the constitutional role of a National Assembly Member, if elected I will dedicate part of my monthly salary to a Constituency Development/Support Fund for Banjul North, which will be managed by a committee selected by the people living in the three wards comprising the constituency. “Being the National Assembly Member, my role in this committee would be to serve as chair of the committee, and a co-signatory to the bank accounts for oversight and accountability purposes,” Mr. Sillah assured his audience. Halifa Sallah, the Secretary General of PDOIS, who is also contesting in Serekunda Constituency, told the large crowd of supporters and well-wishers that they should be very careful in selecting representatives who are supposed to be scrutinising bills, making laws and ensuring an accountable government. He emphasised the importance of the National Assembly election as its outcome is going to determine the future of the country in terms of building a democratic foundation with robust institutions and good laws. He explained in detail the genesis and reasons that motivated the formation of the Coalition and its objectives. Dr Alieu Gibril Gaye, Chairman of Team Tahawal Banjul, an independent non-partisan grouping which was motivated by the Coalition spirit to promote the best interest of Banjul in terms of having quality representatives, also addressed the crowd. He explained what motivated his group to support a process that allows the people of Banjul to democratically select their candidates for the National Assembly election through a primary. “We want the best candidates selected by the people to represent Banjul and to help the city to be revived and developed,” said Team Tahawal Banjul chair. He added: “We are going to accompany them all throughout the campaign, and beyond by providing resources for their successful election and constituency initiatives.”]]>