By Omar Bah
The leader of United Democratic Party, Ousainu Darboe has accused President Adama Barrow of copying his predecessor’s style of governance that Gambians fought against.
“Yes, there is change of personalities in office but what was there during Yahya Jammeh’s time is still there.
It has not changed.
We said the civil service and the chiefs should not participate in politics but recently Yahya Jarju Sey of Jarra West District was addressing a rally organised by the Barrow fan club and youth movement.
When we say that should not happen during Yahya Jammeh’s time why is it happening today? And that chief is still serving.
This is why I said Jammeh is gone but nothing has changed,” Darboe said whiles addressing a crowd of supporters in Germany recently.
The former Vice President said Gambians and politicians in particular should be grateful to Solo Sandeng and all those who sacrificed their lives for the change.
“The UDP is a freedom movement. But after fighting the dictatorship that was here what we are seeing now is an old wine in a new bottle.
What we are seeing is that there are signs of tyranny because those bad habits that prevailed in the past are rearing their heads such as chiefs campaigning and giving assurances to people that the current president will serve for 15 years. This is exactly what we have fought against,” he stressed.
Darboe further alleged that the appointments of some civil servants are decided by the Barrow fan club and his youth Movement. “They pick people and sideline anyone who is a supporter of Ousainu Darboe. That is what is happening in The Gambia today,” he said.
He continued: “We all want peace and security in the Gambia and the Gambian people will stand against any individual who wants to destabilize the country but the government must respect the human values of its people to ensure that peace continue to reign in the country. Government must not suppress the people.”
Darboe said the UDP will not deliberately and unnecessarily single out Barrow for direct personal criticism but will not hesitate to criticise the government’s action or omissions when necessary.
