The leader of the main opposition United Democratic Party Ousainu Darboe has reacted to allegations by President Barrow that UDP is sponsoring agents who follow his convoy to chant anti- NPP slogans and harassing his supporters for political gains.
The president had warned that such acts are provocations that can cause trouble.
However in a rebuttal, the UDP leader said, on the contrary, it is the ruling National People’s Party which is planting agents disguised as opposition supporters and taking them on roads and meetings of the president to create provocations.
The veteran politician reiterated that his party and its partners are fully committed to a peaceful electoral process and respect for the law. But he warned that UDP will not sit and allow anyone to intimidate them. He said Adama Barrow himself can attest to the UDP’s commitment to peace because he was part of the party.
“Mr President, throughout all the years you spent with us, you never once saw the UDP engage in any form of violence. Our advice to our supporters has always been to respect the law and condemn violence,” Darboe said.
He added that if anything, it is Barrow and his administration who are fabricating this violence. “They plan to use their own people, disguise them in yellow UDP T-shirts, to infiltrate Barrow’s events and provoke confrontations. They will then use these staged incidents to blame the UDP, creating a crisis that allows them to declare a state of emergency. Their ultimate goal is to derail the elections and ensure they are not conducted fairly,” Darboe said at a UDP youth rally in Brikama Tuesday.
He advised his supporters to ignore all kinds of provocations.
“I want to advise you Mr President and your ministers that the bigger burden of maintaining peace and tranquility in this country is on you. But we will not be shaken by your desperation to tarnish our image. We will always defend ourselves if you try to bring us violence. We are not violent, and so don’t try to make us violent. We have never been violent,” Darboe said.
He declared that Gambians are ready to vote for a change and replace this regime with a government that will be responsible, foster and promote national unity and devoid of ministers that will go on platforms to make divisive comments.
