If you’re voting in this election cycle chances are you're (18yrs +) which means you're an adult, I'll treat you like one in this article. I won’t force anything down your throat neither would I call you names simple because you lean towards Jammeh. I hope you realize the choice before you, the decision you make in that ballot-booth will have far reaching consequences, consequences that will affect your generation and even the generation next. So I urge you to NOT take this responsibility lightly. Before I deliberate further let’s put things in perspective, let’s look at the following facts:
In 1993 Bill Clinton became president of the United States, just one year before Jammeh came to power. Since then:
- Bill Clinton went on to win and serve TWO terms.
- Next George Bush won and serve TWO terms.
- Next Obama won and serve TWO terms.
- Yet again another president, Donald Trump.
Nigeria had six presidents since Jammeh took over:
- General Sani Abacha
- General Abdulsalami Abubakar
- Olusegun Obasanjo
- Umaru Musa Yar'Adua
- Goodluck Jonathan
- Muhammadu Buhari
Compare this to the Gambia. Folks, it's NOT supposed to be like this. Despite how much appetite you have for Jammeh, would you want him to be president for life? If you do, maybe you're the problem African has been wrangling with. The beauty of Democracy is CHANGE, like many of you I love Obama but guess what he did his best it's time for someone to takeover, period. When presidents are circumscribe to term-limits, they do their best to make an impact before their term ends and the country benefits as a result, but when they stay forever they become TYRANTS.
Folks, we're becoming the laughing-stock of African just the way African is the laughing-stock of the world. Our continent has struggled far too long and it all stems from our lack of will-power to do what's right. We have to start embracing CHANGE and PROGRESS instead of always taking the EASY OPTION. Jammeh has brought some developments in The Gambia but so has Obama, Bill Clinton, Obasanjo and John Kufuor but they stepped-down after two-terms NOT because they want to but because it is the LAW, it's right thing to do. Presidency is a RELAY, you do your part then past the baton to the next person. After 22 years, don't you think we deserve change?
You young man/woman reading this post, you my friend might be president some day if you embrace CHANGE today but if you continue voting for Jammeh, you're becoming the obstacle to your own destiny. Jammeh will stay there until Mariam or Muhammad Jammeh is old enough to takeover from him. If you think that is far away just remember Mariam is 17 years old.
This is your opportunity to stir the direction of your country, there won't be another till 2022, by then Jammeh's kids would have graduated from the most prestigious schools in the United States while for the most of you the best opportunity you'll ever come-across is a Bank-teller job. Be wise, shake-off of the slave mentality. You gave Jammeh over two (2) decades of opportunity, what else can he promise you folks??
Our people are dying in hunger, our young men have abandon the country for lack opportunities. For the first time in generations, many of our sisters will have fewer options of men to marry because majority of them have migrated or died attempting. No one is going to solve our problems but you and I, the power is in our hands. Take charge.
I know the rhetoric's of this elections has been unpleasant, a turn-off with rampant tribalism sometimes but must you make foolish decisions based on the opinion of others?
If you cannot stand Adama Barrow, Mamma Kandeh is there vice-versa. Both gentlemen promised term-limits unlike Jammeh who promise to rule for a billion years. As we speak Jammeh is now one of the longest serving dictators in Africa. Folks, we can do better. This fight is for you, we want the best Gambia for our brothers and sisters. Choose change for your own sake. Choose your destiny. Let's join the civilized world. But we can only do so much, the ball is in your court.
PLEASE VOTE FOR CHANGE.
I PRAY FOR PEACE!!
WHAT IS THIS CRAZY GUY UP TO???
I am NOT the conspiracy type but something is FISHY with this Elections. The level of calmness I have seen from Jammeh is anything but NATURAL. Every indication since the beginning of the year shows that Jammeh cannot win the presidential elections, in-fact it shows one thing, he will lose TERRIBLY. Never has Jammeh faced such resistance and challenge from the Gambian people.
With all these known facts, why is a normally capricious, out-of-control, maniac like Yahya Jammeh doing everything to boost the credibility of the presidential elections? An election likely to boot him out of office under normal circumstances? You and I both know this isn’t Jammeh’s style, if anything he would be unleashing the security forces to suppress, bully and interrupt the Opposition at every turn. Deny them every media access just like in the past elections.
Thus the question becomes; is this president a new person ready to accept Democratic Principles all of a sudden or does Jammeh have a plan off-his-sleeves to ensure he doesn’t lose the elections. I believe in the latter, with Jammeh’s presidency on-the-line and all the troubles a horrible dictator like him is likely to face with a new administration, we should expect he’ll be anything but reasonable and calm. Don't you think so??
READ: Be selective in your battle, don’t make every problem a war
Obviously there is disconnect between our excitement and what is brewing under the hood. I do NOT doubt Alieu Njie of the IEC, if anything I believe he is trying to conduct a fair elections but with the State Mercenary, Wealth and even the Election Resources/Financing under Jammeh’s control, it’s very possible that Jammeh have work-out plans to MANIPULATE the elections that even the IEC is NOT aware of.
The only way you can deny this is to believe that Jammeh is HONEST, am sure even a lunatic knows that 2/3 of what comes out of Jammeh’s mouth is a lie. So why are we NOT putting all our emphasis on this particular THREAT, dig deep into what Jammeh is planning under the hood and sound the alarm on any irregularities. At this hour, I was hoping all our focus will be on Jammeh with the aim that we suffocate his every effort to rig the elections but am afraid it is too little too late.
READ: ENDORSEMENT; Mamma Kandeh or Adama Barrow
So while we are busy beating our chest and tearing each other apart, it is very possible that Jammeh already knows what the RESULTS are, hence his CALM. Maybe, just maybe there is NO elections to fight for after all, it could very well be already done. You know, fighting a losing battle. Maybe we should have done our homework on Jammeh instead of fighting or trying to score points against each-other.
Another LOST opportunity it looks like. SAD!!!
“Choose your battles wisely. After all, life isn’t measured by how many times you stood up to fight. It’s not winning battles that makes you happy, but it’s how many you turned away and choose to look into a better direction. Life is too short to spend it on warring. Fight only the most, most important ones, let the rest go” ~C. JoyBell C
I wish this was the mantra on this side of the spectrum (or Struggle as you would called it), unfortunately that's NOT the case. Everyone is looking for an opportunity to throw mud at the other or pulling their brother down. You know what I mean, hunting for Ants when the Deer is roaming free.
Couple of days back rumor started spreading that Jammeh is kidnapping kids for rituals, and the news spread like wildfire, everyone freaked out. Parents accompanied their kids to and from school, even prevent them playing outside unattended. It got so serious that the Jammeh government could not ignore the damage it was causing the president and they were forced to issue an official rebuttal through the Police and its media mouthpiece.
A week earlier, Jammeh fired the director of GRTS and arrest couple of journalists for broadcasting the nomination of Mamma Kandeh. The Crowd size was so large that Jammeh got intimidated and worried about the images reaching the voters.
These two events expose Jammeh‘s insecurities and vulnerabilities big time. First you made him overreact and cause friction with his allies and the firing began. Second, think about it folks, do you think anyone worried about Jammeh killing their kids for ritual will cast their vote for him? This is a no-brainer. It was as good a strategy as it gets.
This was good news, you were making an impact. This was the time to re-double your effort and peddle more nonsense against him. But NO! What does strategy mean to the flappable STRUGGLERS? NOTHING. Within few days my friends were busy hunting for silly battles like what Momodou Njai said in a video, am sure that is gonna earn the Opposition more votes, RIGHT? Smh... Am not saying what Momodou Njai utters doesn’t warrant a response but goddamn it, why now, why worry about an Ant-bite when a Lion is try to chew your ass. This isn’t time to worry about anything or anybody but Jammeh.
STOP FIGHTING YOUR BROTHER WHEN YOUR ENEMY IS WAITING TO KILL YOU BOTH:
“Immature people always want to win an argument, event at the cost of a relationship. Mature people understand that it’s always better to lose an argument and win a relationship.” My biggest concern for your Struggle is that it will never be the same again, this election has exposed many of you in a big way.
Okay, am tired and sleepy but I’ll leave you with some words of wisdom. I know some of you will do or say anything for attention-sake but if you wake-up thinking about nothing but to ATTACK Mamma Kandeh or Adama Barrow between now and the elections, you’re as clueless as Dictator Jammeh.
ELECTION GOLDEN RULES (Gorilla war with NO weapons):
- Start more RUMOURS about Jammeh.
- Try to Destabilize Jammeh as much as possible.
- Try to Discredit Jammeh as much as possible.
- Stop criticizing Mamma Kandeh.
- Stop criticizing Adama Barrow.
- Quit seeking cheap-attention.
- Focus on the price.
Love you my friends!
I receive this question almost daily for the past couple of weeks. This is particularly surprising considering for the longest I have spoken in favor or in defense of Mamma Kandeh’s campaign. Well maybe your question was warranted, my position has changed slightly but NOT the way many of you expect.
First, I would like to clarify that my loyalty is only to the Gambian people. I do NOT care or align myself to any party at-least NOT currently. I have never been very comfortable with labeling myself or giving a blanket support to any group. I like the idea of being independent minded and from day one I have made it clear my motivation is to see Jammeh GONE, period.
Okay, back to the question. WHO I ENDORSE?
I ENDORSE both Mamma Kandeh and Adama Barrow. You probably are cursing me right now, calm down, I’ll explain.
Based on my observation I have come to the conclusion that we do NOT necessarily need these two campaigns to align. To the contrary, we need these two opposition candidates to take on Jammeh. Mamma Kandeh and Adama Barrow do NOT stand in each other’s way, they COMPLEMENT each other.
The above claim is NOT a science, just the way can’t prove the endless claims you have made in this election cycle so can’t I, so let’s get that out of the way lol... but at the end of this article I hope you’ll find my argument compelling and void of bias.
There is a prerequisite to reading this article or resonating with my argument. I request that you remove your American or Western mentality for a minute and start thinking like the average Gambian voter. Your typical uncle in the village is NOT as sophisticated, he might know things are not right but he doesn’t know why it is so at-least NOT to a deeper level as you do. He doesn’t understand how the economy works and if you try to explain, his answer will be “it’s god who put him there and it’s only god who is going to remove him” annoying right? Well you might think about stopping there because if you press further he’ll remind you that Islam says “Respect and obey your leaders” there is just no way to reason with him. Your idea of a president is NOT like his, he call the president “Mansa, Burr” which means King. While you take that name literally he doesn’t, the president is a king who reign over a people.
Another fact, our country do NOT have Tribalism problem in the physical sense but mentally we do. For the most part, we’re inclined to align with our own tribes especially in Politics. You don’t have to look too far, for the majority of you, you just look at yourself. Truth stings but you’ll never admit it. Am NOT saying everybody think like that but majority of you do and the evidence is YOURSELF. So if you’re NOT immune to such backward mentality why would the majority illiterate Gambian voters. Think about that.
Here is my point, there are many Gambians who have had enough of the APRC government and they want a way out but that doesn’t mean they will settle for any party. Many of these people whether Jola, Wollof, Fula, Sarahuleh or others do NOT necessary see UDP as a party that represent them. Let’s call a spade a spade. These people would rather vote APRC than UDP and the coalition means nothing, it carries the identity of UDP its still UDP to them. While we are addressing this topic let me remind you APRC won 72% of the electorates in the last election, guest what, Jammeh was as evil then as he is today.
See where I am I going with this? So for any chance of defeating Jammeh, you need to cut his support considerably. So far, for the past two decades of Jammeh’s rule only Mamma Kandeh has shown signs of making a dent to Jammeh’s support, people like the dude but more importantly they trust him. How long are you going to stay in your bubble? Quit the denial.
On the other hand, you’ve Barrow. An open-minded fellow who have successfully transform UDP into a more appealing and inclusive party since taking over the reign. He probably command the most loyal supporters than any party in the country. Majority of the supporters see UDP as tribal-honor and a sign of defiance against a Jammeh government who threaten to wipe-out their ethnicity (Mandinkas). This was followed by the arrest of the entire UDP executives for no reason other than a peaceful march to request the dead-body of one of their compatriot. So they have an energize base which is in the range on 15% - 20%, I don’t mean total support but base.
It is safe to say that many UDP supporters are angry and rightly so, only an idiot won’t be angry for what is a blatant attack on their identity. UDP supporters are emotionally attached to the party even Adama Barrow spoke about the “Sympathy vote” during the convention so this not my idea. It would be hard to convince their followers to support anybody but their own. If Mamma is selected to lead the Coalition, I doubt they’ll be inclined to support him. I might be wrong here.
The blessing of this election cycle is we have two very strong opposition candidates unlike the past when the field was proliferated with light weights with zero chance of winning. In one hand UDP has been successful in bring the rank-and-file (it’s not an insult) parties into one umbrella giving it a unified front, excellent.
On the other you have Mamma Kandeh who has the support of all those who had enough of the old parties and the Jammeh government. He leads the most diverse support among the opposition and it is no secret that he is more of a household-name than Barrow. While we are at it, just a side joke, I would also like to point out that he is the CUTEST of them all. Don't believe me, ask the ladies lol.
Here is the take-away from this article. If Mamma Kandeh join the Coalition with UDP leading that equates to handing over the elections to Jammeh hands down. All those who left APRC for GDC will return back to APRC, all those who had enough of the old opposition will stay home. Then what you’ll have is Jammeh winning AGAIN over 70% of the votes. This is common sense and I don’t know why majority of you can’t seem to understand this, gosh am getting agitated.
It’s so hard to deal or work with a REACTIVE crowd, YELLING, YELLING, YELLING, when you don’t get your way INSULTS, INSULTS, INSULTS when the frustration climax ask for MONEY, MONEY, MONEY. WTF!
As sad as this sounds, this is the reality of our politics. I urge you to NEVER ignore the concern of a people genuine or NOT. Donald Trump is a perfect example of what happens when you try to force a candidate down people’s throat they don’t want.
Take a CUE !!
I hope this is my final address to the DIASPORA.
In the span of two months my diaspora folks have held over 10 different contradictory positions yet some how you’re always right??? The canting attitude of my colleagues in what is called the STRUGGLE blows my mind, how anyone flip-flops so much so fast yet still maintains credibility is beyond me. Trust me, I do not enjoy lambasting anybody but when are you going to take responsibility for something? It is always somebody's faults, no matter how much you screwed-up.
You created Dr. Touray and call-out anyone who dares raise any concern or any unpleasant opinion of her. You got her pumped, dropped her when she serve no purpose to you anymore. Within a span of 24 hours, all of a sudden she is this horrible, evil woman who works for Yahya Jammeh. WTF!!!
You called her every obnoxious name in the book, reminds me very much of our culture of disrespect towards women. I was stupefied how you could remove yourself from the whole mess and dump it all on her, all of a sudden it’s all her fault. REALLY? We're supposed to believe that? Folks look at the below positions you have peddled within a span of weeks. Read this and ask yourself if this sounds like you.
- No to Elections unless Electoral reforms.
- Yes to elections but only with an Independent Candidate.
- Mamma Kandeh cannot be president because he is not a University graduate.
- All parties must rally behind the Independent Candidate (Dr. Touray), she is most educated and the unifier. ENDORSE ENDORSE ENDORSE .
- Coalition elect leader Adama Barrow is the man and Dr. Isatou Touray is Greedy, Arrogant, Sour and Bad-tempered woman etc.
Does this sound like you? Be honest to yourself, am sure majority of you will see yourselves in these statements. It doesn’t matter how many times you change your positions somehow everybody must agree and follow. This is what I meant when I said "Groupthink" has swallowed your STRUGGLE.
Take responsibility, quit passing blame on everyone but yourself. It is okay to say “I am wrong” you’re human after all, spare me your Pecksniffian, holier-than-thou attitude, it's nauseating sometimes to say the least. You can't just remove yourself from this mess, you're part of it, you created it. HELLO!
Now you see why I do NOT get along with most of you lol. I am a cool person but I don’t roll like this, I believe in principles not what is popular. This is the same reason I am sticking with Mamma Kandeh until the coalition proves to be more of a treat to removing Jammeh. I would NOT be jumping around candidates just because it makes me fit it.
I hate the fact that at this hour I am even talking about any other person but Yahya Jammeh. I should be aiming my dagger at Jammeh's chest (the power of my pen).
Just remember, you subdued Dr. Touray through bullying, harassment, treats and insults. You never listened or acknowledged her concerns. Does she deserve it? Yes she does. She should have been honest with her intentions from the beginning but she chooses to try to outsmart everyone by using the often naïve, unsophisticated diaspora. Live by the sword die by the sword. Period.
Final point, FOCUS folks, stop spreading endless childish conspiracy theories, Mamma Kandeh is NOT working for or with Jammeh and you know it.
This is the last time I plan to address the Diaspora in my articles before the December elections. My focus will be on that Evil Nincompoop aka Dictator Jammeh. The war is on, from now on, it’s should be all of us against Dictator Jammeh. PEACE!
I love you my friends!!!
The disunity among the Gambian opposition continues. There is no love lost between Dr. Touray and her colleagues on the other side of the spectrum.
In her well awaited press conference, Dr. Touray announced her options are open but around the end of her press conference she made it clear, she is going ahead with the nomination process scheduled next week.
The opposition parties where already struggling to unite the just elected Opposition (GOFER) standard bearer Adama Barrow and the popular Mamma Kandeh. This move by Dr. Touray will NOT make the process any easier.
After what transpired today, it is safe to assume the opposition is nowhere close to finding common-grounds. What's next? is the question everyone is asking but the answer is unlikely to come before elections which is only four weeks away. SAD!
In the past I have been hard on Dr. Touray and those who follow my articles closely will tell you that I have predicted this just few weeks ago. How the Dr. is going to win this war is anyone's guess but the division that ensues will NOT be pretty. I hope all the parties exercise calm, the common enemy is Yahya Jammeh, fighting among us will do NO good to anyone.
What is in a SIGNATURE?
Is War Brewing Between UDP & Dr. Touray
TRUTH is very important for UNITY to prevail, no matter how happy we are about the first of it's kind coalition, we have to admit the process has a lot to be desired. Nowhere on earth has Ghost political parties like GMC and GDPD given powers to determine who heads an opposition coalition. These parties have ZERO supporters, ZERO investments in their parties or on the ground, they don't live in the country, they are NOT eligible to stand for elections and absolutely NO STRUCTURE.
They should never have been part or even close to this process. We must admit the truth, that is the only way forward. Regardless of your opinion of Dr. Touray, she and the other well organized and well invested parties have genuine reasons to be pissed at the flawed coalition process.
READ: How Adama Barrow Succeeded where his Predecessor Failed:
This is a developing story. Complete story coming soon...
WHAT IS THIS CRAZY GUY UP TO???
My name is Intellectual Bug, I am a Jollof-Nerd, a Political-Junkie and a Love-Wizard.
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