MC Cham Jr Says Gambia Needs Neutral Speaker At Parliamentary

By Buba Gagigo

The National Youth President of the Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC) has added his voice on critiquing the nomination of Fabakay Tombong Jatta and Seedy Njie as Speaker and Deputy Speaker of Parliament by President Adama Barrow.

National Youth President of the Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC) said Gambia needs a neutral speaker.

“I don’t have anything against Tombong Jatta, he has the experience. But I am afraid because everyone knows that between Fabakay Tombong Jatta and APRC No-To-Alliance who have five National Assembly Members. And also Tombong and UDP, I think if we are to select a speaker, it should be a neutral speaker and the person should be an independent speaker but we have seen the fight between Tombong and UDP is a long time fight. And APRC No-To-Alliance the same. We need a speaker that will earn the respect of all the Parliamentarians.

“This decision can create push and pull in the House and what we see in this country right now is not working because the populace are suffering, nothing is working in this country. We need MPs that will be there for the country and a very neutral speaker, but with Tombong Jatta, I am afraid whether there will be that respect between him and the Parliamentarians. I would have suggested Halifa Sallah because he has the respect. For Seedy Njie also, I don’t have anything against him but a lot of people are not happy with him because of the history during the impasse,” Mc Cham Jr said in an audio shared with Kerr Fatou on Wednesday.

Mc Cham also said the President should have nominated a Disabled or a Christian instead of Fatoumata Jawara who lost her seat during the National Assembly election in Tallinding Constituency.

President Adama Barrow nominated Fabakay Tombong Jatta and Seedy Njie as Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly but they first have to be accepted by the National Assembly Members through voting Thursday.