By Omar Bah
President Adama Barrow over the weekend categorically stated that he is not leaving office and that no one can force him out before next presidential election.
Addressing a crowd from Kombo East at State House Saturday, Barrow stressed that he was elected by the Gambian people and that remains a fact regardless of anyone’s view.
“No one can scare me to give up the presidency before 2021. That cannot happen and I will not allow that and so if anyone has that plan, he or she should drop it. We will only go to election in 2021 and I will graciously hand over the office to whoever wins. That is the only thing that will make me leave the State House,” Barrow said.
He further disclosed that even if he were to leave office today, he would do as a very proud man because it will remain in Gambia’s history that he was the man who sent Jammeh out of this country.
“No matter how you hate the dog you have to admit that its teeth are white,” he teased. In an apparent reference to the recent sacking in his cabinet, Barrow again warned that people serving in his government who are not supporting his agenda will be dropped from his famous bus.
“I was voted to serve the needs and aspirations of the Gambian people. Therefore, I wouldn’t allow anyone to obstruct or undermine those great expectations that Gambians had vested in him. I am the bus driver, and I wouldn’t hesitate to drop off passengers who did not support my government’s agenda,” he said.
The president recounted a private conversation he had with a friend, who suggested he form his own political party. “But I told him the knife I used to slaughter the elephant is still at the State House and a hen cannot stand that knife,” the President teased his audience.
Barrow said opposition parties have battled for decades to remove Jammeh without success but it took him only three months to send Jammeh packing.
The Gambian leader said his critics are scared that when he completes his development projects, it would be hard to dislodge him at the polls. He said his preoccupation is to deliver on the mandate that had been given to him by the Gambian people.
