Dr. Ismaila Ceesay, Minister of Information
By Buba Gagigo
Dr. Ismaila Ceesay, Minister of Information, has criticized the United Democratic Party (UDP), stating that the party lacks the moral authority to lecture Gambians on corruption. His remarks were in response to an article by UDP’s Tombong Saidy.
Speaking on West Coast Radio on Tuesday, Dr. Ceesay dismissed the claims made in Saidy’s article, calling them false and lacking practical recommendations. He argued that UDP-led councils exemplify corruption and should not be in a position to critique the government on the issue.
“I read the article (by Tombong Saidy) but first of all it is false; the recommendations proffered are just mere platitudes. They are not practical recommendations. I think we need to be very honest with each other as a country. If the Gambians want a government that will replace His Excellency’s government, It’s not the UDP. If you want to see corruption at its core, have a peep into the UDP councils and municipalities; you will see corruption. How can such a party, whose people preside and oversee massive corruption in the councils and the municipalities they lead, preach about corruption? They don’t have the moral authority to come and preach about corruption in this country,” Dr. Ceesay said.
He further referenced the ongoing Commission of Inquiry, accusing the UDP leadership of attempting to obstruct transparency.
“This commission was supposed to tell us exactly what is happening in the councils, and they refused; they say it was witch hunting. So how can someone who’s proffering transparency, a party that refuses to have a commission of inquiry, that is going to uncover corruption in this country? That means they are not serious about fighting corruption in this country. UDP has no alternative; their only agenda is to get to government,” Dr. Ceesay said.
The Information Minister made these remarks while speaking to West Coast Radio on Tuesday.