Ebrima Dibba, Deputy National Organizing Secretary of UDP
By Buba Gagigo
Ebrima Dibba, Deputy National Organizing Secretary of the United Democratic Party (UDP) says Bakary Badjie should not be a part-time minister and a part-time partisan political candidate for elective office and retain his salary and all attendant benefits as minister for all Gambians.
Mr Dibba said doing so amounts to fraud because it is not possible to fulfill both roles in the way the law and elementary ethical behavior demands.
“You tried to advance the argument that the law does not explicitly prohibit you or any cabinet officer from holding onto your appointed office while simultaneously seeking an elective one, and demanded I provide proof to the contrary. That is a rather dubious attempt to justify bad conduct by seeking refuge in a purported non-explicit prohibition in the laws.
“The proof you demand is the provisions of the laws that require you as someone on the public payroll to dedicate all of your time, effort and the resources at your disposal by dint of the position you hold to serve the Gambian people full time. You cannot, and you should not, be a part-time minister, part-time partisan political candidate for elective office and retain your salary and all attendant benefits as minister for all Gambians. Doing so amounts to fraud because it is not possible to fulfill both roles in the way the law and elementary ethical behavior demands,” Ebrima Dibba responded.
Ebrima Dibba reiterates that Hon. Bakary Y Badjie clinging onto a position as state minister on the public payroll while launching a full-fledged campaign for the elective office of Mayor of KMC is morally, ethically and legally impermissible.
“Therefore, as a citizen, I demand you resign your position as State Minister, detach yourself completely away from the people’s ministry and focus exclusively on seeking the mandate of the voters of KMC. If you fail in your bid for elective office, you can seek consolation from the very President who goaded you into throwing your hat into the ring. If he still needs you in his Mbahal cabinet, he can return you to your old job and let you be a seat warmer since Gambian youths can’t expect anything from you and the President you serve,” Ebrima Dibba Responded.
Ebrima Dibba was responding to Team Bakary Badjie, who asked him to provide proves of saying the Minister of Youth and sports should resign.