By Omar Bah
President Adama Barrow on Saturday said the formation of his National People’s Party (NPP) is the outcome of the commitment to sustain the change of 2016 and the public outcry for freedom, justice, peace, progress, and dignity, as well as fundamental rights and liberties.
Addressing tens of thousands of supporters at the party’s inauguration Saturday, the president who was welcomed and escorted by an enthusiastic crowd from Denton Bridge to the Independence Stadium further stated that the NPP represents the present and the future, and that it is here for all Gambian citizens within the framework of a new political consciousness and direction.
“Be assured that this is a party devoted to creating, expanding and sustaining space for popular participation in development as politically mature, democratic, patriotic and economically independent citizens,” he said, adding that it is also the party for all categories of people, based on the concept of true democratic and patriotic Gambian citizenship.
In what was a show of strength, President Barrow punched the air and told the teeming crowd that he accepted to form the party, ‘together with all of you to provide a platform for us to collectively fight the social divisions, political cracks and institutional failures that have persistently undermined the peace, stability, progress and development of our dear motherland.”
To guide the party, he went on, a comprehensive manifesto has been developed which is now available, adding that that document is the result of an in-depth search for options and possibilities that meaningful change can bring about in the country. “In it, we offer alternatives to rescue the Gambian citizens whose talent and potential have either been wasted, untapped or ruthlessly exploited for decades. We also offer a governance construct that is truly rooted in uprightness, sincerity and accountability, complemented by the drive to promote and sustain equitable and efficient service delivery and justice for all. We bring a new and vigorous infusion of vision, talent and leadership that boldly maintains that our democracy must be re-energised to broaden and secure the scope and grounds on which our people can make informed choices and live decent lives,” the President said.
The Gambian leader said the NPP’s vision is to build “a nation we can be proud to call home and this is derived from the desire for positive, transformative change that will result in an all-inclusive, all-progressive and an accomplished society of happy, peaceful, dignified and united people who are proud to call The Gambia home.”
“We denounce and reject all forms of dictatorship and degrading treatment of human beings or communities. We believe that all are equal before the law, and all human beings have the same fundamental rights to life and good living,” the President said.
