Editor’s Note: Dr. Owl famously remarked that "Biting is bad for the teeth". So it is that when we recently came across a good "Bite" from the POINT we took permission to reprint it. As you may have read in the Daily Observer, we did, like the POINT, assume that Waa had joined the APRC – hence the same assumption is in the piece below. So here it is, esteemedreaders, for your enjoyment – it is a mature POINT!

Courtesy of the POINT Newspaper.

Everyone’s A Winner!

Mr. Lamin Waa Juwara’s recently announced decision to defect to the APRC has many people talking. The leader of the opposition National Democratic Alliance Movement (NDAM) party declared his preparedness to join the APRC party last Sunday at a mass political rally held in the village of Katamina, Niamina West, Central River Region, as part of President Jammeh’s Dialogue with the People tour.People will of course tend to have their own opinions with regard to the motivation behind the momentous decision, as is their right in a democracy where free speech and freedom of expression are the order of the day. Perhaps the most interesting comments have been made by Femi Peters, Campaign Manager of the main opposition United Democratic Party.

He asserted that Lamin Waa Juwara is a Gambian and, like any other Gambian, he has the every right to belong to any political party of his choice. According to the UDP Campaign Manager, people should respect Mr Juwara’s right no matter what. "I want to put it very clearly that Waa Juwara is a Gambian like anyone of us and he has the right to belong to any political party of his choice," he said.

For his part Mr. Henry Gomez, leader of GPDP, had this to say: "I accepted Waa Juwara’s opinion. He has the constitutional right to belong to any political party of his choice."

These comments show an extreme political maturity on the part of the opposition and bode well for the future democracy of The Gambia. It is well known that Lamin Waa Juwara has long held the reputation for being among the most open and articulate critics of President Jammeh. So there is no doubt he went through an enormous amount of soul searching before embarking on such a radical shift in his political outlook. To make a political U-turn of this magnitude in public is a brave thing in itself and for this Mr. Juwara must in some way be admired.

Many people would rather drop out of politics altogether rather than be seen to so radically recant their deeply held political beliefs. To president Jammeh and the APRC we say well done on the effective horse trading it must have taken to land such a high profile scalp. To the opposition we say congratulations on your political maturity in accepting the defection and to Mr. Juwara we say best of luck in your new job as nominated councilor on the Brikama Area council.

Barely a month to the forthcoming local government elections, the opposition Gambia Peoples Democratic Party has expressed the party’s decision not to contest the local government elections.

In an exclusive interview with The Point on Thursday Mr Henry Gomez, leader of the party, told this reporter that his party would neither contest in the election nor throw its weight behind any party be it ruling or opposition. “We are not participating in local government and we are not putting our weight to any party, whether opposition or ruling party. But we want to appeal to all Gambians to vote peacefully and ensure transparency,” Mr Gomez said, adding that there is no friend in the field of politics.

“I have a vision and my vision is to be the president of the Gambia. My party is working very hard for the attainment of this vision and come 2011, Henry Gomez will be declared President of the Republic of The Gambia,” he avowed.

According to the GPDP leader, Gambian people should seek out and rally behind the opposition party (ies) that are ready to face the battle and not to fail them again. “I always hear people saying that the opposition failed us but in our case as opposition we believe in building the capacities of the people.”

Mr Gomez then digressed by appealing to President Jammeh to release some of the prisoners presently in detention while calling on all Gambians to rally behind him and the APRC so long as his statutory term lasts, in order to help him achieve the development objectives of the country.

On Senegalo-Gambia relations, the GPDP leader also appealed to the Presidents of the republic of Senegal and The Gambia to join hands and ensure harmony, noting that the two countries ought to prioritise the maintenance of healthy relations between themselves first before thinking of bilateral matters outside Senegambia.

He called on all Africans to join hands and strive for the advancement of the continent, stressing that one way that could be achieved is by having confidence in the capacity of Africa and her people to accomplish the feat.

Mr Gomez seized the opportunity to wish President Jammeh and all Gambians a prosperous New Year.

Henry Gomez Preaches Peace

Barely a month before the forthcoming local government elections, Mr. Henry Gomez, leader of the opposition Gambia People Democratic Party (GPDP), has again called on all Gambians to come all out and vote to promote the culture of peace The Gambia is known for.

Mr. Gomez, who was speaking to this reporter in an exclusive interview at his Bakau Newtown residence, reassured his continued participation in active politics which, he added, would continue so long as he remains in the country.

The GPDP Leader also implored all Gambians and Africans in particular to make best use of the natural resources God has given them and feel proud of themselves as true Africans.

According to Mr. Gomez, Africans should put away personal greed and corruption and work for the betterment of the continent rather than personal interest.

“People should support their leaders so as to complement them in their efforts, but leaders should also be patient and practice good governance and democracy for the people they serve,” the GPDP leader asserted, adding that such a move can result in unprecedented developments on the African continent.

He also urged parents to be vigilant and not to expose their children to early marriage as this would have a negative impact on their future lives.

Mr. Gomez went further to commend President Jammeh for what he called his foresight in helping Gambian children and wished him a happy Tobaski.