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Barrow has said he wants to see United Democratic Party (UDP) leader Ussenu Dabo dead before he leaves office as president, a remark that has sparked condemnation across the country.
“I swear today that I will serve as president until the death of Ussenu Dabo,” Barrow said during the inauguration of the New Patriotic Party’s politburo in Brikama on Saturday.
He added: “I, President Barrow, will remain president until he (Dabbo) dies and then I will step down as president.”
“I will not resign as president unless he (Dabbo) dies.”
“That’s the contract I’m under right now.”
Barrow concluded by declaring: “It is not until my father (Dabo) dies and it is declared that he is indeed dead, and we go to his funeral and we go to bury him, that I can finally say that I am leaving this presidency.”
Gambia’s All-People Alliance leader Bakari B. Dabo, former presidential candidate Essa Mbai Fall and former Works Minister Bala Garba Jahumpa have accused Barrow of making inflammatory remarks.
“The Gambia presidency is out of control: The Gambia Faithful Party (GFA) fears:
This is not the first time that President Adama Barrow has shocked the nation with his usual crude, undemocratic and patently unacceptable hate speech at random political rallies across the country.
On every occasion like this, his incompetence
Political advisers have attempted to offer flimsy alternative explanations for the president’s numerous gaffes. Unfortunately, President Barrow’s advisers have a difficult task ahead of them, as the president seems unable, unwilling, or incapable of delivering a rational political speech at a political rally without these types of slips of the tongue.
The President’s latest outrage occurred in Brikama, where he was heard to wish UDP opposition leader Ousainou Darboe dead and buried. This is indeed far beyond the realm of acceptable political rhetoric. For an elected leader of a country to say he will not give up power unless he sees the main opposition leader “dead and buried” does indeed pose a huge threat to national security.
Instead of addressing the multiple crises facing The Gambia, including the unaffordable high cost of living for most Gambians, the menace of dangerous drugs and drug dealers that have infiltrated every sector of society, the tragic story of our youth drowning in the Mediterranean Sea, and the unbelievable government corruption scandals reported on a daily basis; the President of The Gambia has offered no hope to the Gambian people but escalating personal and unhelpful political attacks on his opponents.
The GFA strongly condemns the President’s hate speech because we believe that on the Richter scale of political incitement, it is higher than the “Buried Six Feet Deep” speech that transformed former dictator Yahya Jammeh from a “soldier with a difference” to the murderous monster he later became.
All Gambian political leaders must be reminded that their words, especially what they say at political rallies and elsewhere, matter. Every political leader has a section of the Gambian public that supports and follows him/her. By engaging in such hate speech, the seeds of hatred and potential conflict are sown in our country. Politics should be about ideas that can significantly improve the lives of ordinary Gambians, not hate speech, which has no place in our democracy.
We call on all Gambians, especially President Barrow, to abandon the so-called fratricidal war (TURUBANG KELLO) with his former allies and instead embrace good and progressive ideas that will help develop our country and transform the lives of our citizens.”
Essa Mbye Faal, former presidential candidate
“I am deeply disappointed by President Adama Barrow’s recent offensive remarks against United Democratic Party leader Oseinu Dabo. Such language has no place in our political discourse and I join my fellow Gambians in condemning this disturbing statement.
While political differences are normal, they must not lead to vicious rhetoric, especially from heads of state. Leaders must remain civil, respectful and decent, especially during times of political tension and economic challenges.
I wish the respected Mr. Usaynu Dabo good health and longevity, and hope he can contribute to the development of our country.
Our country needs leaders who value unity and understanding over division.”
Former Works Minister Bala Garba Jahumpa
“Gambians, where is our country heading? President Barrow’s recent remarks at the Brikama conference are deeply disturbing. If his remarks about not stepping down before the death of lawyer Dabo are wrong, he should publicly apologize to the nation. Such remarks are not only horrifying but also unbecoming for a leader.
In his speech, President Barrow declared that he would not resign until Dabo died, and even mentioned that he would personally confirm Dabo’s death. Life and death are in the hands of God, and no one can predict when they will come. The president’s statement that he would “wait until someone dies before resigning” is unacceptable.
President Barrow’s friends and supporters, including those of the New Patriotic Party, must acknowledge that these comments were extremely inappropriate. It is unacceptable for a sitting President to say he will only step down when someone dies. Such comments are hurtful and shameful.
If we have reached a point where we wish death to our fellow citizens, we must reflect on the state of our politics. This is a shameful situation for The Gambia. Politics should unite and bring people together, not create conflict or division.
It is time for all those around President Barrow, including ministers and advisers, to stand up for the truth. The current political space should be about respect and discipline, not this kind of harmful rhetoric. Criminals are killing people day and night, everywhere. You have to be careful where you walk; they have gone to the extent of killing our police officers.
“The president should have addressed the high cost of living in The Gambia before making these comments. He should have focused on addressing these issues instead of saying things that divide the country.”
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