By Lamin Sanyang – Halifa Sallah, The Coalition Spokesperson has said that the coalition will contest in the upcoming National Assembly Elections as two of parties UDP and NRP have reserve their positions.
Speaking to journalist at Kairaba Beach Hotel, Sallah said the position of the coalition is to participate in the parliamentary elections in the basis of independent coalition candidates.
” The coalition was not a matter of choice but a matter of necessity,” Halifa Sallah said.
Sallah said after lengthy talks the coalition was confronted with the question of whether to have coalition independent or party sponsored candidates, adding that the coalition have agreed to contest with independent candidates while two parties namely UDP and NRP are on reserving positions. He was quick to add that consultations are going on with the hope of reaching a consensus. Sallah said the circumstances that created the coalition in the presidential election is the same situation for the National Assembly.
“The Coalition is not preaching the abolition of political parties,” he interjected.
He reiterated that the coalition was established to promote genuine multiparty democracy which he said is what gave rise to the coalition.
The Coalition Spokesperson talked about the importance of the upcoming national assembly election, saying it is the legislative authority of the country.
“We are not talking about an ordinary body but one that has powers to govern the country,” he emphasised.
Sallah talked about the need for the coalition to win majority seats in the National Assembly to support their programes so as to deliver the promises made to the Gambian people.
Halifa Sallah said the coalition would have a committee to make the selection of the identified candidates from the stakeholders, saying competence will be the priority.
“We will build the concept of One Gambia, One Nation and One People,” he asserted.
Meanwhile, the Coalition Spokesperson has emphasized that sovereignty resides on people which he said would be meaningless without the people.
