COPG URGES PRESIDENT BARROW TO EXERCISE TOLERANCE

 

By Sheriff Saidykhan

The Coalition of Progressive Gambians (COPG) has urged President Adama Barrow to exercise tolerance. The pressure group further expressed its discontent and shock over President Barrow's recent speeches in Nianija and Jarra.

“It is with great concern that the Coalition of Progressive Gambians express their disappointment and shock on the recent utterances of President Barrow during his recent visit to Nianija and Jarra.

The pronouncements made by the President took a good number of Gambians by surprise as it was unexpected at a time when there's speculation about the failure of democratic values in the country,” according to COPG.

The Coalition of Progressive Gambians  further reminded  President Barrow to focus on mitigating the pressing issues affecting the country, chief among which is the cost of living conditions among others. 

 “The issues expected to be of concern should be the 2020 draft constitution, the high cost of living, unending corruption, the deteriorating health sector, the gloomy economy, security reforms, recommendations of the costly commissions and task forces, audit reports and recommendations amongst many other pressing issues and concerns,” the pressure group stated.

Calling people or party individuals or media houses, as a threat to national security the pressure group said, is a manifestation of his government's failure to address the security threats that could have been avoided if a proper and genuine security reform blueprint was critically defined and implemented. 

“The general political misconduct and disorder has been instigated by the government's lack of focus and concentration on the implementation of expected reforms and recommendations,” the group said.

According to (COPG) President Barrow continue to show total disregard for the rule of law and his intent to override his authority over the separation of powers.

“This will raise an alarm to the international community and could have serious implications.

The President must be reminded that these were the same words uttered by the former President  causing him to lose credibility and the Presidency. Quoting the powers conferred to him by the 1997 Constitution is evident that he's walking on the former President's tracks. 

We the Coalition of Progressive Gambians call on the President to get back on the track that convinced the Gambians to vote for him, the diaspora to finance his campaigns and the media to promote him and his agenda.

We the Coalition of Progressive Gambians express our disappointment and call on the International community and goodwill partners to support and stand in solidarity with goodwill Gambians to dismiss this pronouncement. 

In conclusion, we are proud to inform the general public that we took it upon ourselves to discuss the 2020 draft constitution on weekly basis in our local dialects to point out the significant role it plays for good governance,” the group concluded.