By Sarjo Brito
PDOIS front-man Halifa Sallah during his party’s congress on Sunday boasts of how his party has not become a tool for anyone, alleging that many political parties in this country take millions from individuals with strings attached, hoping to pay them back once they assume office.
“A party will emerge today, have a number of seats in the National Assembly and they will say but PDOIS was here for 30 something years, what are they here for? And PDOIS could have accepted to be a tool. You will see parties going to an individual, who will give millions, with strings attached. Governments will do that, individuals will do that so that ultimately when you take over power, you will owe obligations. PDOIS refused to do that, and you are blaming PDOI but today that refusal is yielding something. That refusal is yielding fruit, that PDOI will do owe any obligation to anyone on the face of the earth,” Sallah said.
Halifa Sallah furthered that the only people his party owes an obligation is the Gambian people who will entrust the party with power, adding that his party will continue defending the interest of the Gambian people to the grave. Sallah also shared the role his party played in the 2016 elections debacle and how he came up with tactics and strategies to ensure a peaceful transfer of power.
“PDOIS participated in effecting the change and stabilising the nation in order to ensure the peaceful transfer of power. Do not judge the party by the number of seats we have in the National Assembly, do not judge the party by the percentages. That does nit define PDOIS, it defines you. Because for us we know our national duty and we are ready to sacrifice our lives for the sake of our people and country. And we do so without any expectation, no obligation. You hate us, we will serve you, you love us, we will serve you,” he said.
