But who really didn’t see this coming?
The past weeks have been something of a spectacle at the national assembly. There have been many events but the Alhagie Jawara Vs UDP event certainly stands out. Scintillating!
Alhagie Jawara didn’t enter this battle without careful thinking. He came into the trenches prepared – as any good soldier would. Who can really tell how much pep talk he got before coming to the national assembly with this bill?
Jawara brought the Local Government Amendment Bill 2020 to the House when it’s most tricky. UDP were fighting with a man. That fight needed to finish first, at least to UDP adherents.
Yet, Jawara came to the House intent on serving out what he’s out to serve. To tame political parties.
But what makes one hesitant in criticising his move is that he came covering himself with, ‘I am doing this for the national interest’. And you know the likes of Halifa Sallah, they are big fans of national interest.
And so it was supposed to be easy. Where you have the likes of Halifa Sallah on your side, victory is sure to be gained. Only that this does not always apply when it comes to a presidential election.
UDP NAMs then had to go it alone, without any support and without any help. I always felt sorry for them because at times I felt the bill was personal and targeting them, as the party with the most elected officials.
A vote certainly had to be taken today (Friday) and when it came, Jawara quickly won. He can now surely pop the champagne. For the UDP NAMs, it’s about them dusting themselves off and accepting defeat.
