The Kebba E Jallow-led People’s Progressive Party has issued a statement saying a recent high court judgment has no effect on its recent congress held in Brikama-ba.
PPP last month held a congress in Brikama-ba where Kebba E Jallow emerged as leader of the party in strange circumstances after his challenger Touma Njai walked out before voting could take place.
Days later, the high court in Banjul delivered a judgment in the case of BB Darbo and Papa Njie, a judgment which says the congress the party held two years ago should be conducted again – and speculation has since persisted that it would render the party’s recent congress meaningless.
But PPP in a statement on Tuesday said: “Following the media publication regarding the consent judgment which was wrongly reported, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) wants to inform and assure its members, supporters and the general public that the said judgment has absolutely nothing to do with the recent National Congress held in Brikama-ba from the 26th-27th February 2021 where Hon. Kebba E Jallow was elected Secretary General and Party Leader.
“The plaintiff’s that brought the 2018 congress before the courts never filed an injunction to stop all future congress of the party.
“The PPP was obliged to organize a congress as required by law. Therefore, only a court order could have stopped both the IEC and the party from holding a congress in 2021. Now that a congress was held and a new leadership elected, the courts cannot nullify the elections based on the outcome of the 2018 congress while there was no injunction to stop it.
“The Independent Electoral Commission sends observers to all party congresses and normally does not play any role in the way and manner parties conduct their congresses.
“We thank the IEC for sending representatives and their patience throughout the congress until a new leadership was elected.
“Besides the above, the party leader and Executive will embark on a nationwide tour to thank all delegates and members for the trust they have in them to run the affairs of the party for the next four years.”
