Posted by The leader of the United Democratic Party (UDP), Ousainou Darboe, has said that his party will be ready to go for presidential elections once it’s declared by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).
Mr. Darboe who spoke in an interview with Star FM Radio, said they will go by anything under the dictates of the IEC. He pointed out that going by the dictates of the IEC is the fairest thing.
While responding to questions about the much talked about – three and five years of President Adama Barrow’s presidency, Mr. Darboe said
“I said this on GRTS Perspective programme that the president has a choice; whether to step down after three years as agreed with the Coalition or go for five years, even though the constitution stipulates five years.”
When reminded about his earlier comment in which he threatened to sue anyone who challenges Barrow to step down after three years, Darboe recalled: “If I don’t forget, I said if anyone wants to force Barrow to serve for three years, I will take that person to the court knowing what is stated in the constitution.”
He further said that he made those comments as a barrister who knew what the constitution states for a president to lead compared with the three years people are talking about.
Mr. Darboe in the interview made it clear that he was not speaking on behalf of UDP, but as a lawyer who knows little about what the constitution states. According to him, the constitution mandates the president to lead for five years instead of three years.
Talking about UDP, he said the party is now stronger than before as it is witnessing shift of allegiance of influential people. The coming of these people, he said, has given more impetus to the party.
He said that as a result of this development, they are eager to see the transformation and transition in the party.