Often, when people say politics is all about numbers, they are referring to economic gains politicians like to take credit for. I’m not referring to those kinds of numbers because numbers confuse me and I don’t like things that confuse me. I’m referring to situations where political parties lay a red carpet for anyone because they claim “politics is all about numbers”.
I am also referring to our government laying the red carpet for unrepentant Yaya Jammeh enablers who the Barrow administration thinks we should all embrace simply because their fellow Yaya Jammeh enablers recommended them.
The argument is that the more people you get on your political platform, the more likely your chances of winning a majority. Often, this argument is made when you question politicians about embracing people of questionable character or when political opportunists jump from one party to another.
The political parties, if they even care to respond at all, usually lead with a disclaimer that they don’t subscribe to what the person of questionable character stands. That they have no control over who chooses to join their party or who aligns themselves with their party. And usually I agree with that position. I understand. I can wake up today and call myself an APRC supporter and there’s nothing they can do about it! What they can control though is to make sure I don’t get on any of their platforms to speak on their behalf or to their supporters! My character simply does not fit the evil they so desire!
I know that all political parties, and yes even the APRC, claim to stand for certain values and ideals that they encourage every member to abide by. Parties expect that those who represent their political party will portray these values and ideals.
Therefore, I would think that people that do not represent these ideals and values will not be elevated or given a platform to represent a political party. I can call myself APRC all I want and spew garbage on their behalf all day long but they certainly will not have me in their inner circle because my character and what they stand for are opposites! While a political party may not have control over who chooses to join their party, they surely do have control over who they give their platform to and who they elevate.
President Barrow surrounding himself with men and women who helped Yaya Jammeh steal from Gambians and cheered Yaya Jammeh as he killed Gambians tells us all that we need to know: It does not matter what any accountability mechanism says, if the indicted people can help him cling on to power, he will gladly embrace them. Does not matter if they are killers or rapists or thieves.
In the same vein, one cannot criticize other parties for one thing on one hand while doing the same thing on the other hand.
Numbers do matter but I would think that character and values should also matter. Those at the forefront of political parties should reflect the values of their party.
Elevating opportunists and turncoats to the limelight and claiming politics is all about numbers is in and of itself not only shortsighted but duplicitous.
Essentially, what you’re saying is that we are willing to use people with questionable character and elevate them if they can get us a majority. If that is the case, I can only imagine what questionable characters you will keep around you to maintain that majority!! Numbers do matter but so should values and character!
