According to the Monday, 11th December, 2017 issue of The Standard Newspaper, the former Interior minister, Mr Mai Ahmad Fatty has denied knowing the reason for his dismissal.
‘I did not do anything to the best of my knowledge that would warrant Barrow to relieve me from my responsibility. I don’t know why I was sacked; I think you should ask President Barrow that question, why I was relieved.’ (P. 2, The Standard Newspaper, 11th Dec. Issue).
This puts the spotlight on you and your government to shed light on the issue. Mr Mai Ahmad Fatty was a key member of the Coalition that you led to oust the former president, Yahya Jammeh. He worked with you and was seen as your right hand man by many. This was why many were surprised when you relieved him of his duties.
Your government has been lip tight since you sacked him and no reason was given. The public asked questions and some demanded that you inform the public of the reason that informed your decision but you didn’t budge. Well, many are still in the dark as to why this move was taken.
Now that Mr Mai Ahmad Fatty has come out and said that he doesn’t know the reason for his sacking, it seems to many that you just acted to satisfy selfish desires and show to everyone that you are the president. True, the Constitution has given you the authority to hire and fire, but not just to satisfy your whims and caprices. The sacking has to be based on genuine reasons.
The time has come; therefore, for you to come out and tell us the reason(s) you had to fire your onetime-closest-ally. Otherwise, people will see you as displaying dictatorial tendencies which we fought so hard to oust.
Besides, your government has to communicate with the people who put you in office. The Gambian people deserve to know what their government is doing and why. The Freedom of Expression has enabled people to voice out their opinions on the affairs of the state but most of the time, our cries, our complaints, our demands and queries are ignored. You must put in place a mechanism to communicate.
Have a Good Day Mr President….
Tha Scribbler Bah
A Concerned Citizen
