After the publication of our analysis (a couple of days ago) of what might have led to the delay in unveiling the new VP two weeks after the burial of the late VP Alieu Badara Joof, We received information from a Statehouse insider on the surrounding reasons leading to the president’s failure to unveil his chosen replacement VP.

Information we received from a competent authority confirmed that, indeed, the President had made his choice to appoint Hon Sidi Njie (Deputy Speaker) as the New VP after consulting Sidi Njie as the replacement for the VP position well before the sudden illness of the Vice President as the president and people around him were uneasy with the late VP Joof after his prominent speech at the Cabinet and government retreat last year.

The authoritative person further explained that the mishandling of information surrounding the VP’s Illness and the leaking of Sidi Njie’s name as his replacement before the demise of

the VP led some people close to the president to speculate that Spiritual causes or foul play caused the sudden illness of the former VP (Joof)and his subsequent death.

This situation has caused the president to get reluctant to unveil Sidi Njie as his chosen successor for the vacant VP position even after this long period because some quarters within the corridors of power are advising the president not to go ahead with the decision.

The contact said that most of the people surrounding the president possess a Narrow-minded mindset, are profoundly Superstitious and believe in ritualistic sacrifices, leading them to spray spiritual water (SAFARA/NASSO) throughout the statehouse and place Charms in every corner inside their offices.

He reported that these beliefs caused the paranoia leading the state to provide security to the late VP’s grave as they believed some of the people wanting to become the VP could exhume the body to perform spiritual acts to succeed in replacing the VP and, subsequently, becoming a president shortly.

The contact has alerted me that they are keenly following the publications on OPEN GAMBIA PLATFORM on all the issues shared and mostly react to the journal by issuing press releases.

He said the government Spokesperson would likely send out a press release giving excuses that the VP replacement will be announced after the fortnight of the death of the former VP to silence critics whiles the president manages the controversy.

Finally, the contact said Sidi Njie is asserting himself by acting as the Vice President. He is confident that the president will confirm his appointment when the Criticism dies.

The only thing changing the president’s decision to confirm Sidi Njie’s appointment as the new VP will be pressure from within overcoming him or Senegal advising against the proposal.

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Article contributed by SULAYMAN BEN SUWAREH