Commentator Madi Jobarteh has called on the country’s political leaders to cooperate as they share the same objective: to be president.
The national air has been filled with attacks and counter attacks by the country’s political leaders and according to Jobarteh “the level of castigation and contempt between our political leaders is a threat to national unity”.
“If indeed our leaders have no interest only to serve the people from the bottom of their heart then why all this anger, ego, self righteousness and vain grandstanding amidst accusations and counter accusations, and misinformation and disinformation,” Jobarteh wrote on Friday.
He argued further: “We the citizens must not tolerate such low level leadership. After all we make individuals to be leaders hence it is we, the people who are the actual leaders and the leaders are merely our followers. Therefore let’s demand leadership that we deserve according to our narrative and not to live in the narrative of so-called leaders!
“We need humble, honest and accommodating leaders so that our best interest, as a people, could be served and served well. We don’t need leaders who are dismissive and suspicious of each other and then we get divided accordingly. Then what kind of a nation are we? We need leaders who unite us and not divide us!
“Since Independence in 1970 Gambians are divided by no one except our leaders. Let’s stop that by holding our leaders accountable and make them humble, honest and tolerant to each other. If it is not the President accusing and insulting opposition leaders rest assured it is opposition leaders insulting and disrespecting each other or the President.
“Not long ago President Barrow baselessly said some opposition leaders wanted to sell The Gambia only for us to see two top leaders – Sidia Jatta and Ousainou Darboe engage in throwing dirt on each other, not to mention Hamat Bah who recently disrespectfully described some fellow leaders as dirimo! Yet all of them base their arguments only on unverifiable hearsay and opinion but no one takes responsibility! How can such attitude unite us as a nation!? Shameful.
“I don’t follow any leader who disregards, disrespects, insults and divides our people! Let our leaders emulate Citizen Alliance leader Dr. Ismaila Çeesay who is making effort to visit fellow party leaders to cooperate. That’s peace and unity! After all, if everyone’s interest is to serve The Gambia then why the fighting over strategy when the objectives are the same! Let our leaders cooperate waay!”
