Written by Pa Nderry M’Bai
The leader of the main opposition United Democratic Party Ousainou Darboe says Adama Barrow ascended to the Presidency thanks to his blessing and come December 4th, he is going to end the Presidency of the man that he claimed to have created. He says without him, Barrow wouldn’t have ascended to the Presidency. Mr. Darboe made the statement on Monday while addressing thousands of his supporters at a political rally held at the independence stadium Bakau.
Ousainou Darboe, who is seeking his fifth time bid for the Presidency says now is the time for his supporters to redouble their efforts so that their years long efforts to unseat Barrow’s rule, would come to reality. He has called on his supporters not to be complacent but to ensure that come December 4th Barrow’s rule would be history.
At age 73, Darboe is optimistic of winning the coming polls. He says during the campaign period, he and his supporters would put on t shirts that would call for Barrow’s removal from office. He says the UDP’s support base is no match to any political party in the country, while vowing to use the campaign trail to build up a case that would convince the electorate to vote Barrow out of power.
Darboe had served as Foreign Minister and Vice President under Barrow’s rule. He later had a fallout with Barrow amid power struggle in the Coalition government.
Darboe says he and his reporters won’t intimidated and any attempt to lure them into “ any wrestling match, we will engage you. We cannot wrestle, but we are not afraid of wrestle with anybody.”
The UDP leader has called on party leaders to prevail on their supporters to main peace during campaign period.
He says there is need for party leaders and their supporters to jealously safeguard the country’s peace. He has also called on citizens to respect the rule of law.
According to Darboe, over 11,000 women backed his Monday’s nomination. He has expressed the hope that his nomination papers would be accepted by the Independent Electoral Commission.
Darboe has also reaffirmed the UDP’s commitment to fulfill its five point campaign manifesto if elected into office. He has called on party leaders to avoid peddling unfounded allegations against their opponents during the campaign trail.
The UDP rally was characterized by the firing of fireworks. The UDP leader used the occasion to call on his supporters to spare the fireworks until, what he called his inevitable victory come December. He insists that come December, Barrow would be voted out of office.