By Buba Gagigo
Hon. Almameh Gibba, the National Assembly Member for Foni Kansala, has expressed that he does not regret voting against the proposal for diaspora voting. He emphasized that he is not intimidated by any pressure and is confident in his decision. Instead, he advocates for the amendment of Sections 39 and 88.
“I am not afraid of anyone in making decisions.” he said. “There’s no amount of pressure that scares me or intimidates me. I am very happy voting against this (Diaspora voting) and I have reasons that I have advanced. I want people to know that, if we want to establish the truth, there is no need for insults or caricature, let’s work,” he said.
Hon. Gibba explained that his vote against the proposal was based on two key clauses. He stated that the Gambian people are ready for change, and he urged that Sections 39 and 88 be amended to better reflect the current reality.
“The reason why I voted against it is based on two clauses. We Gambian people are ready, let’s work and amend that. If they are ready, let’s join hands and amend section 39 to suit the reality and section 88. It is not only about voting in the diaspora, we need a representative of the European bloc as an MP in parliament, we need an African bloc representative in parliament, we need an Asian or America, just like what is happening in Senegal.”
The Foni Kansala NAM also refuted claims that he had persuaded fellow Foni Assembly Members to vote against diaspora voting. “Listen to Fabakary, the speaker, who asked those in favor of the constitution to raise their hands, as this is the document we guard,” he clarified.
In another statement, he remarked, “The minority caucus unless we change, we cannot make any progress in this parliament. And going forward, we, the National Assembly Members of Foni, are a caucus of our own. We will discuss and take our own decision.”