How riveting can it get with less than 100 days to election?
Essa Faal said he felt great when I asked him how he felt as he entered through the back door of the American International University lobby on Friday evening. It looked so.
It will take some time before some Gambians fully get what this man is trying to do here. Essa wanting to run for president is one thing that has divided opinion. The people I saw him with last night think he is the deal but one critic told me he is an opportunist. There are many more who believe he used the TRRC to launch himself to fame.
The last few months and weeks have seen a lot of Gambians express interest in becoming the country’s next leader in December but I don’t really remember anyone who has done so with so much style. But that’s typical Essa.
Yet, Essa took to that podium and declared he will win. With his expensive car collection on display and saying with confidence that he is the best out of the lot, Essa’s entrance into the political fold borders on bravado.
On Friday evening, Essa began his speech by first thanking God. He then turned to man. That is his deceased parents whom he said approved of his political endeavour and his friend James Bahoum who was initially chosen to introduce him to the nation.
But while Essa has not officially unveiled his manifesto, only the not-so-smart will not know this man’s campaign will largely be about victims of former President Yahya Jammeh.
“There is one very important issue that is very dear to my heart. For 22 years, from 1994 to 2017, Gambians suffered. There are too many victims. I would make it a crusade to ensure justice for the victims. I know it would come with a price but justice would be done,” Essa said about the victims.
Jammeh did a lot of bad things and if there is one person who can truly bring him to account, it’s Essa. I want the victims to know this.
And if APRC contingent are jittery about UDP going after Jammeh, they should reconsider their stance. Essa is the man to be worried about.
Lamin Njie is the editor-in-chief of The Fatu Network. The views expressed in this opinion piece do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The Fatu Network.
