Amid renewed flurry of activities and speculation over the future of the Coalition, Almamy Fanding Taal, the spokesman of the United Democratic Party, which is widely believed to have backed a full five years for the president, yesterday clarified that the party has not made a definitive position on the matter yet.
“The UDP’s position remains the same as the agreement between the members back in 2016. But as you may know and as we speak, discussions are on this very matter, but it is not correct to say that UDP has now said five years or three years,” Mr Taal said.
Asked whether the party’s position has changed from the statement made by leader Ousainu Darboe, who had vowed to legally challenge anyone forcing the three-year agenda, Mr Taal said that statement was Mr Darboe’s personal view as a constitutional lawyer but it did not in any way reflect the position of the UDP.
Mr Taal would not however confirm or deny a change of heart, only saying that talks are on going and he would not preempt the outcome.
Meanwhile observers have told The Standard the recent fall out between the President and the UDP has almost certainly wiped out any sympathy the party may have for Barrow and already there is strong and growing feeling that the party should join PDOIS and PPP who have consistently said that the president would earn more respect by sticking to the MoU.
