By Lamin Njie
A former vice president of The Gambia Bakary Bunja Darboe has announced he would run for the office of secretary general of the People’s Progressive Party, PPP.
“I’m among those who have asked members of the party to consider. If they feel satisfied by my qualities, I am ready to lead the party and make sure the work that’s required is done,” Bakary Bunja Darboe told journalists at a press conference held in Fajara on Thursday.
“It’s not just me maybe others are also vying for the position. And it’s not a problem at all for others to vie. That’s what the law sanctions and that’s what the party’s rules say.”
Mr Darboe, 72, is an economist who served as vice president of The Gambia between 1982 to 1992.
His announcement comes as the People’s Progressive Party braces for its national congress which will take place on Saturday December 29. It’s the first time the party will hold such a high-profile event since it was kicked out of power in 1994.
Mr Darboe sets his sights on the PPP top job at a time when the party’s interim leader Omar Jallow said it was time for younger people to assume their rightful positions in the party.
His decision to run for the office of party leader runs counter to Mr Jallow’s comments – a former agriculture minister who has made his intention known that he will not be vying for the position of party leader.
