Gambia News : OJ Apologises to Gambians

Omar Jallow, the leader of the opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) which ruled the Gambia for nearly three decades before being d eposed in a military coup, has issued an unreserved apology to Gambians for PPP's failure to rally as a united front and defend the collective “interest” of the people.

Jallow, who was part of the executive of the opposition coalition, the National Alliance for Democracy and Development (NADD), formed before Gambia’s 2006 Presidential election, was speaking in an interview Friday by Banjul-based private daily “The Point.”

“We failed to consider the interest of Gambians after spelling out everything in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on how we are to select the NADD flag bearer,” he said.

“I am therefore appealing to Gambians, especially opposition sympathisers,for that big mistake. I am also appealing to them to take courage and work together for a well co-ordinated coalition,” Jallow added.

The NADD coalition broke down over leadership tussle in 2006 and disintegrated.

As a result of the disunity among the opposition parties, the ruling party, under the incumbent President Yahya Jammeh, had an easy victory at the polls.

Of late, Gambians, especially those in the diaspora, have blamed opposition leaders for failing to unite and work towards national interest.