The United Democratic Party said it accepted the supreme court ruling which declares that Brikama Area Council chairman, Sheriffo Sonko can remain in his job in contempt of being ousted by the party which sponsored him.

After his expulsion,  the UDP  filed a writ of mandate in court for the IEC to conduct a by-election at Brikama Area Council depending on the Local Government Act.

Speaking to reporters,  Almamy Taal the UDP spokesperson blamed the Independent Electoral Commission for not taking action at the right time.

“The party accepts the judgment of the Supreme Court and equally congratulates Gambians who are continuing to test our laws because there are several unconstitutional laws standing in The Gambia,” Taal said.

He went on to say that the 1997 constitution came under attack when the Supreme Court ruled that the former AFPRC junta member, Yankuba Touray does not have immunity from answering the charge of murder.

“So really, we are witnessing the growth of our jurisprudence that reflects the Gambian values. But in the case of Sonko, the IEC should have acted in good time but of course, all these are part of challenges facing the IEC and that it has to respond in the interest of our democratic transition. Look at this voter registration debacle; so many instances the IEC just cannot meet the demands of the time. We have to be honest with each other as Gambians that it is time for the IEC to review its mandate and its terms of reference and we hope the new law that is coming into play will guide us towards a better political environment,” he said.

Taal added that,“the question that we are asking is how do you protect political parties in a multiparty democracy when individual rights are seen to supersede the interest of a team that put you up as a political candidate; invested and put their reputation on you?”

He was asked what the ruling means for the UDP’s writ of mandamus against the IEC, he responded: “Now that the Supreme Court has spoken, we don’t have a case anymore.

Probably, we will withdraw the case against the IEC because we were asking the IEC to do its job according to the laws of The Gambia but the Supreme Court has pronounced that the law we relied on is unconstitutional. It is no longer a law of the land.”

Mr. Taal said moving forward, the UDP will vet people who put themselves as candidates for the party to ensure they get the right people who understand the values of the party.

“We will get young people; male and female who are qualified and dedicated to the values that the UDP stood for. In the past years we have had wonderful suitable additions to our ranks who will be able to replace all these people who have either resigned or were expelled from the party,” he concluded.

 

Fatimah Sonko