Why GDC Should Be Given A Chance

Written by Abdoulie John


As presidential aspirants have started criss-crossing the country to increase the turnout of their supporters on Election Day, Lawyer Assan Martin is urging Gambians to vote for the Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC) flagbearer, Mamma Kandeh. 


In an interview with this medium, the human rights lawyer pointed out the reasons that prompted him to throw his weight behind the GDC leader, citing the maturity of the party and its ability to unify the country.


On November 9, political parties had officially started campaigning for next presidential election. Described by many observers as a “turning point” in the country’s political history, the December 4 election has attracted six candidates vying for the top post, including the incumbent President Adama Barrow.


“The GDC is the party that can help shape, and give this country a new start, and a new direction,” Advocate Martin told this medium. “We believe the party has that agenda already set.”


Laying down the GDC agenda, Martin further stated that the tiny West African nation has to win back its sovereignty so that “all institutions will be strengthened and be run by Gambians.” 


Secondly, he went on, GDC will bring an agenda that will inexorably tackle the hardships and poverty Gambians are confronted with.


GDC came third during the 2016 Presidential election, and was able to grab large sections of the former governing party base, precipitating the end of Yahya Jammeh’s two-decade long rule.


“People in Gambia are living below the poverty line, and a GDC will help improve drastically the standard of living,” he added while indicating that food self-sufficiency will take centre stage in their policies.


More importantly, he said, social justice will be a cornerstone of GDC agenda for change.


Over these past months, major GDC high-ranking officials defected to President Adama Barrow’s National People’s Party (NPP). Last week, the GDC Deputy National Women Mobiliser, Ajie Ndey Njie, has joined the upsurge of militants quitting the party. Subsequently, she endorsed President Barrow in presence of Dr. Sabally and NPP officials.


However, Lawyer Martin said the GDC is the fast growing party as “lot of supporters are moving from other political parties, coming to join GDC.”


He then added that the MoU signed between the GDC and the breakaway faction of the Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC) will be instrumental in the coming Presidential election.


“We’ve got a large momentum of supporters,” he explained. “This is about decent Gambians coming to join the party. GDC is the best alternative.”


When asked whether they are working on a possible alliance with National People’s Party (NPP) or United Democratic Party (UDP), Lawyer Assan Martin unequivocally said that the GDC is not contemplating an alliance with these two political organisations.


“At this point in time, the GDC stands on its own. The GDC is there to provide the best alternative.”

Ends