By Buba Gagigo
Pateh Baldeh, former spokesperson of the National Reconciliation Party (NRP), officially announced his decision to join the United Democratic Party (UDP) during a UDP meeting held in Kiang Kaiaf on Sunday.
Addressing a gathered crowd at the Kaiaf Bantaba, Baldeh expressed his shift in political allegiance, highlighting his concern for the challenges faced by the citizens of The Gambia. He emphasized that he believes the UDP is the party that can effectively address and rescue the country from its current issues.
Baldeh revealed that he had resigned from his role as the Public Relations Officer of the NRP in March of the previous year. The decision to step down was driven by a perceived lack of fulfillment of promises made to the Gambian people by the NRP. In his speech, Baldeh emphasized his commitment to avoiding blame for unmet expectations and asserted his belief in the UDP’s ability to bring about positive change.
“I am here at the Kaiaf Bantaba to announce to the whole nation that I have switched my political allegiance. I made this choice because of the hardships that Gambians are facing, and I believe that only this party (UDP) can save the country from these troubles. I used to be the Spokesperson of the National Reconciliation Party (NRP) but I quit last year in March. I left because the people did not get what they were promised, and I, Pateh Baldeh, did not want to be blamed for that in the future,” he told a UDP gathering.
The former NRP spokesperson, known for his role in the 2016 coalition initiative, claimed to be the driving force behind the opposition parties coming together to defeat then-President Yahya Jammeh. Baldeh recalled the challenges faced during that period, including the reluctance of some parties, such as PDOIS, to immediately join the coalition. He shared insights into the discussions he had with prominent figures like the late Lang Marong, Nogoi Njie, and Solo Sandeng, emphasizing the gravity of the political climate at the time, marked by the omnipresence of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA).
During his address, Baldeh offered a candid perspective on the realities of politics, urging those in the field to expect the possibility of being in government, facing imprisonment, or even risking their lives. He cautioned against joining politics solely for personal gain, stressing that true wealth lies in the pursuit of truth and genuine service to the people.
“I will be in government, I will be jailed tomorrow, and I will be killed tomorrow. If you don’t believe in these three, you should leave. Don’t join politics for position or money because no one has money. Wealth is nothing; everyone is just looking for it. That wealth should not carry you, only the truth should. That’s the truth that I saw, that’s why I joined UDP,” Baldeh asserted.
Pateh Baldeh made these remarks at a UDP meeting in Kiang Kaiaf, signaling a significant shift in his political allegiance and potentially influencing the political landscape in The Gambia.