“Looking at the National Assembly, even though we have three opposition members [sic] but following the debate of parliament effectively, one could see that the opposition is not on the bottom side. So we need Gambians to struggle and give the opposition at least 26 National Assembly Members.” This remark was made by Hon. Halifa Sallah, the flag bearer of NADD, in an exclusive interview.

According to Hon. Sallah, if the opposition is able to have at least 26 National Assembly seats, it means that the present regime cannot go out and pass any bill it wants. “If the opposition is able secure at least 18 seats in the National Assembly, it means that the other side will not be able to amend the constitution without the collaboration of the other side,” he asserted, noting that this is a way of keeping the executive in check.

He said Gambians must struggle to have at least 18 opposition members who are critical-minded in order to ensure that what is left unamended of the constitution is not actually amended to the detriment of the people.

The NADD flag bearer added that in order to be able to deal with the present regime in parliament, there is the need for an increase in both quality and quantity of opposition National Assembly Members who will be able to check and participate as far as debates and voting are concerned in parliament.

Commenting on the possibility of any opposition alliance in the forthcoming National Assembly elections, Hon. Halifa Sallah reaffirmed NADD’s readiness for a broad-based alliance with any independent candidate who is competent and in whose success and interest in the welfare of the people they have confidence, as well as any other party who they believe has a candidate they believe is competent enough to serve the interest of the people.

“Opposition parties should therefore try to identify a competent person who would be able to stand and get the support of the people to go to the National Assembly to scrutinise what the executive is doing,” he added.

Hon. Halifa Sallah further called on other political parties and other independent candidates to support NADD candidates in all the constituencies as they believe their candidates are competent enough to handle the responsibility of National Assembly Members.