The GDC leader Mama Kandeh has sharply reacted to talk in town that his family and that of President Adama Barrow’s had a meeting at the president’s home in Mankamang Kunda, describing it as unfounded.
“I want to clarify a few things. Let’s be mindful of hearsay. They spread the news that my family and that of President Barrow’s had a discussion at Mankamang Kunda. I don’t know where they source that news. They knew where they got that news from,” Kandeh stated in an audio recording.
The GDC leader explained that he did not set foot at President Barrow’s compound gate for more than five years now.
“Since 2016 to date, I have never stepped foot at Adama Barrow’s compound gate, let alone enter his compound to sit to discuss. Gambians, let us be mindful. There is too much talk.
I did not form the GDC to please anyone. I formed the GDC for the progress and peace of the country but I didn’t form the GDC to please anyone. That’s not my objective,” stated Kandeh
He pointed out that rumours were rife “but I think the rumour-mongers do not listen in to my meetings, audios and press conferences”.
“I did not fight with any politician and I deny that I had a quarrel with any politician. I did not fight with Barrow, I did not fight with Ousainou Darboe and Halifa Sallah. My stance remains the same and I see Gambia first. If we are to rule, we want to rule the entire Gambia, irrespective of party affiliation. If Adama Barrow is bad, it’s then today that others came to this realisation. Do not spread rumours to tarnish someone’s image or prevent something from happening,” Kandeh said.
“If at all the peace and prosperity of this country call for me working with the UDP, that’s what I will do. If the peace and prosperity of Gambia depend on me and Adama, I have no problem with that. I have said earlier that I had no quarrel with anyone. I say my doors remain open as long as it is for the betterment of The Gambia and The Gambian people. That’s my position. Spreading falsehoods about someone is not decent. In 2016, they levelled every kind of allegations against Mama Kandeh. The same people were saying that Mama Kandeh’s presidential bid was sanctioned by Yahya Jammeh, others said Mama Kandeh and Yahya were consulting the same marabout and were even swapping garments. A lot of allegations were made. They accused me of collaborating with Al-Qaida. I am not going to accept that kind of dirty politics. Gone are those days. What I believe in is the progress, stability and peace. And this is my belief whether it sits well with someone else or not. As I said earlier on, I didn’t found the party to please someone or do something to please someone. No. Ninety percent of all the noisemakers will not vote for me and they will never help me with anything. Even if I don’t align with Adama Barrow, most of them will not vote for me on polling day.”
Kandeh stated that he would be comfortable with aligning with any citizen for upliftment of The Gambian people.
“I have no problem with working with any Gambian as long as it is to the betterment of the Gambian people. Let’s stop this kind of talk, saying my family and Adama Barrow’s family sat together to discuss. But what is wrong with going to Barrow’s compound? Let’s do politics when it’s time for politics. I never had any fight, quarrel or argument with Adama from childhood to date. We have no problem, our only difference is politics. So when Adama is bad, then it’s only now that many know about this and please, don’t let me talk,” said Kandeh.
