The leader of the United Democratic Party, Ousainou Darboe, has cautioned his party supporters to avoid what he called “extreme negative militancy”, “overzealousness” and “unmeasured language” as they met at a congress in the United Kingdom.
UDP leadership has recently come under severe criticism and pressure by opponents who claim the party’s online supporters are intolerant and abusive to any critic of the Barrow administration and must thus be condemned.
“We must not allow extreme negative militancy and overzealousness, unmeasured language and actions stand in the way of promoting the virtues of the United Democratic Party. Therefore, we expect that those who truly respect and belong to the UDP be mindful of how they communicate especially through the social media,” Darboe was quoted saying on Saturday at the UDP congress.
“Our rule is we ensure that all our communications no matter what platform we may use are driven and guarded by caution, sensitivity and modest language which is factual, relevant and tactfully put across. The leadership of the UDP will not allow negative and undemocratic language and actions undermine its credibility.”
Darboe said using abusive languages and negative militancy is not the type of imaging and branding the UDP wants.
“Let me make it very clear that the UDP leadership does not and will not tolerate nor support anyone within the party that attempts to bring the party into disrepute,” he added.
“It’s imperative that as a party, we are well organized and disciplined.
This must be underpinned by all of us upholding democratic virtues of a democratic party. Let me conclude and reiterate the membership of the UDP is opened to all Gambians. In that spirit, I further implore you, the members of this chapter, to welcome and make comfortable those who want to join our great party,” he concluded.
