UDP Showcases Unexpected Discipline

By Abdoulie John

As the curtains drew on United Democratic Party (UDP) 2018 National Congress at the weekend, Lawyer Ousainou Darboe had succeeded himself in the position of Secretary General and Party Leader. Mr. Darboe and 32 other members of the newly elected Executive Committee went unopposed in what appeared to be a great show of unexpected party discipline.

“In this New Gambia, I urge all of you to be alert and resistant to those who seek to devaluate your commitment to your party with inducement,” Mr. Darboe told delegates that stormed Pencha Mi Hall at Paradise Suites Hotel, Kololi. He did not name any incident of inducement.

In the run up to the National Congress, factional divisions had hung over the party of yellow, prompting observers to predict that disintegration would surface at the three-day event, especially when it comes to the election of a new Executive. That was not the case.

The party leader delivered a message of hope, saying that the UDP stood by Gambians when it was tough. “The UDP fought for you, for your rights and that resolve will never waver,” he said. He said that they would never forget that Gambians stood by them when it was necessary. “We today pledge to continue to pursue the agenda for The Gambia and the Gambian people. We will never abandon The Gambia and the Gambians,” he assured.

He said one of his goals is to resolutely turn the UDP into a party of the masses, which is why their arms are wide open to embrace all new members.

“I am confident that with wonderful, competent officials we have just elected, we are bound for higher heights,” said the elated party leader who led a fight to dislodge The Gambia’s self-styled dictator from power.

The party’s spokesman who got elected as the Administrative Secretary Legal/Human Rights downplayed the existence of a factional divide within the UDP.

“In a democracy you don’t expect things to go without controversy,” Lawyer Almami Fanding Taal told our reporter. Mr. Taal clearly stated that the UDP came out of the 2018 Congress more stronger and more united than ever.

The list of UDP Executive Committee stands as follows:

1. National President; Alhaji Dembo Bojang

2. First National Vice President; Yamundow Jaye-Yarboe

3. Second National Vice President; Momodou Sanneh

4. Secretary General/Party Leader; Ousainou Darboe

5. Deputy Secretary General/Deputy Party Leader; Mariam B Secka

6. Senior Administrative Secretary: Lamin Dibba

7. Deputy Senior Administrative Secretary: Alhagie S Darboe

8. National Organising Secretary: Ablie Suku Singhateh

9. Deputy National Organising Secretary: Babucarr L Jammeh

10. Administrative Secretary Legal/Human Rights; Almami Fanding Taal

11. Deputy Administrative Secretary Legal/Human Rights; Borry Touray

12. Administrative Secretary of Finance & Economic Affairs; Lamin K.T Jammeh

13. Deputy Administrative Secretary of Finance & Economic Affairs; Fatou Cham

14. Administrative Secretary for External Affairs; Tombong Saidy

15. Deputy Administrative Secretary for External Affairs; Hagi Banico Sissoho

16. Campaign Manager; Fakebba Colley

17. Deputy Campaign Manager; Karafa Sonko

18. Treasurer; Amadou Sanneh

19. Deputy Treasurer; Kemo Ceesay

20. Auditor; Landing Sanneh

21. Deputy Auditor; Alhagie Gibba

22. National Women Wing President; Aji Sukaina Kah

23. First National Women Wing Vice President; Adama Jallow

24. Second National Women Wing Vice President; Nogoi Njie

25. National Women Wing Secretary General; Jonfolo Jabbie

26. National Youth President; Sulayman Saho

27. First National Youth Vice President; Karim Touray

28. Second National Youth Vice President; Papa Touray

29. National Youth Secretary General; Kemo Bojang

30. National Female Youth Wing President; Fatou K. Jawara

31. First National Female Youth Wing Vice President; Jimbi Ceesay

32. Second National Female Youth Wing Vice President; Bineh Marong

33. National Female Youth Wing Secretary General; Ya Kumba Jaiteh

Ends