National Assembly Member for Serekunda West, Honorable Madi Ceesay, has vowed to reject any effort to alter the draft constitution when brought back to the National Assembly. 

“If the draft constitution comes back to the National Assembly with changes I will reject it. That is my position, I don’t know about any other person,” He said; adding that he’s a fervent supporter of the draft constitution and any attempt to sweep it under the rug will be met with his outright rejection.

He made this revelation following a futile visit to Nigeria by a handful of political leaders and party representatives in a quest  to reach a conclusion as far as the (draft constitution is concerned) which if approved and supported by a referendum in December, will see President Barrow serve for only one term.

Madi Ceesay affirmed that nothing will change his stands, not even his party alluding that he has always maintained his position even before the famous failed Abuja Talks

“I will maintain my support for the draft as it was last year. Why would few privileged members (referring to NAMs) decide for the rest of the country when there is an opportunity for the masses to decide? They (who rejected the draft) should allow Gambians to decide the fate of the draft at referendum,” Ceesay said.

The lawmaker further stated that he could not comprehend the president’s inconsistency to eliminate his original mandate when he missed the chance to step down after 3years.

“If he had agreed to step down after 3 years and the constitution was drafted, he has all rights to contest and nobody will count the 3 years because that would not be part of his mandate.

Remember this is the same man who said 3 years is ok and he is not going to contest but when it was close pressure groups came out and reminded him but he insisted to go by the constitutional mandate of 5 years which is correct. So he cannot turn around to say this 5 years should be excluded from his term,” he concluded.

By: Fatoumatta Samateh