People’s Progressive Party has slammed as ‘misleading’ comments by GMC leader Mai Fatty an MP of the party voted against the draft constitution because one of the party’s leaders is a member of President Adama Barrow’s cabinet.
Mr Fatty made the comments at a news conference last week.
PPP in a statement signed by public relations officer Ebrima Savage and shared with The Fatu Network said: “Before we get to the position of the party, PPP wants to address the misleading statement by Mai Fatty the leader of the GMC party for saying one of our members of Parliament Hon. Momodou Ndow voted against the draft constitution promulgation bill in his view has shown the desire of the PPP not to endanger President Barrow’s political ambitions as reported by standard news Paper. Mai’s statement was grossly deceptive, and we urged him to apologize to the party.
“We want to make one thing clear to Mai Fatty our party has never at any time interfered in the work of our National Assembly members. PPP strongly believes in democracy to strengthen that our NAMS shall be giving the independent to exercise their mandate without the interference of the PPP executive members.
“National Assembly members shall act based on their conscience, and they should always put the national interest first. Mai Fatty deliberately failed to mention Hon. Fatoumata Njie (Touma) public support for the draft constitution which has demonstrated the internal democratic nature of our party. Given the above, PPP membership is being divided on the draft constitution bill.
“Some of our members did not support the draft constitution bill on grounds that it omitted key fundamental clauses that are not in the interest of Gambians. While those on another side strongly support the passing of the draft constitution bill as it is a progressive one when compared to the 1997 constitution. This leaves the party with no official position regarding The CRC2020.
“Moving forward, we want to remind our members and Gambians to learn from history that not all hopes are lost. As mentioned above PPP had lost its first referendum for republican status, but had respected the rule of law and had started the process all over again. Although the circumstances were different and one could argue that it was decided by the people, not the parliament, but that is the nature of democracy and parliamentarians are the people’s representatives. We as a party and a nation must forge ahead and continue with the rebuilding of The Gambia.
“More importantly, we will urge the National Assembly to review 1970, 1997, and the rejected 2020 draft constitution to make amendments to the 1997 constitution.
“We want to make sure that the changes reflect the desire of the Gambians and toensure the continued existence of democracy, rule of law, peace, tolerance, and a fair and transparent system of using our elected officials.”
