Recently public outrage has been observed around the issue of the draft, this is  emanating from the continuous reluctance of the political class to compromise on contentious clauses in the draft constitution, failure to which may retard chances to usher in a third republic for the new Gambia.

This reporter gathered from a reliable source that the 4th convergence of this political dialogue facilitated by mediation master GoodLuck Jonathan again failed to hold water as some political figures refused to lose their  firm grip on controversial issues.

Speaking to the media, political mandarin of NPP Seedy Njie from barrow’s camp, blasted UDP  for being adamant to reach out consensus on the subject of retroactivity clauses of the draft which he said clearly discriminates against Barrow’s first term . He revealed that all other political parties consented to expunge this clause except the mighty UDP. He added that, most of the Gambians know full well that this clause is targeting only one individual that is the president. He also expounded on the issue of the president, who holds the highest public office, being impeached by 50% votes while the chief justice 75% , this he describes as mind boggling and unjustifiable.

“The United Democratic Party is holding on to the retroactivity clause as an  escape goat, but what is certain is they are not interested in 50%onwards votes, because they think once there is a chance for a second round vote, no other political will back them up” he accused.

GAP, Secretary General Musa Yali Bachilly blames UDP for what he describes as failing to arrive at consensus in the interest of the country and indicating that they hold Gambian to ransom.

“If our leaders cannot sacrifice a little thing like this in order to have a third republic constitution, are we calling ourselves leaders? He asked, we should call our self power hungry leaders. If Barrow and Darboe are confident in themselves for victory in the December election, let’s sacrifice and allow us to have a third republic constitution “he suggested.

He added that, the UDP are scared and that’s the reason for all this rambling about, he concluded.

Gambian hope for the resuscitation of the draft constitution has been scattered as our trusted political class walked out of the dialogue without our realistic conclusion, the  needs of the Gambians for a new constitution has been clearly and openly compromised with insatiable taste for power by the country’s politicians .

 

 By Alkali Cham