Sheriff Kijera, the outspoken former chairman of the Gambia Centre for Victims of President Yahya Jammeh has formally joined the opposition United Democratic Party UDP, declaring his support to veteran politician Ousainu Darboe.
“I believe in the consistency of the UDP and their values and objectives are aligned with mine, and I trust that the promise made by Darboe that he will only serve one term is enough for me to believe that he will reform the governance architecture of the country and bring in a new constitution,” Kijera said.
He also said he believes the party is well positioned to challenge and remove Barrow from power in the December election.
Kijera will be formally unveiled at a ceremony at the residence of the UDP leader on Pipeline Road today Tuesday, where he said he will present the UDP with a policy document.
“This document is proposing the establishment of a welfare state in The Gambia and it will involve restructuring the Social Security and Housing Finance Corporation to a National Welfare and Social Protection Authority,” he proposed.
Kijera said he believe the UDP will be in position to implement this proposed welfare state the rationale of which is to alleviate poverty and restore dignity to the lives of ordinary people, including the most vulnerable – elderly, disabled and children.
He vowed to campaign vigorously for the party in this election.
