By Lamin Camara
The National Reconciliation Party (NRP) is set to hold a national congress in order to remain relevant in the political process as the party faced a backlash as it distance itself from the objectives of the group of six. The congress will also allow the party to restructure the party’s structures in the country as well as to partner with agencies affiliated to the promotion of Democracy.
Sources close to the party leadership told Gainako that the congress which is tentatively slated to take place in September will take place in the Provincial town of Farafenni in the North Bank Region of he Gambia.
The congress would be the second of its kind under the banner of the party which has been in existence for over ten years under the leadership of Hamat Bah former member of Parliament for upper Saloum constituency. The party militant who spoke anonymously noted that the NRP is a democratically establish party with the aim of promoting democracy and the rule of law in the Gambia. He added that the September congress would discuss a lot of burning issues confronting the party and the country in particular since the democracy of the country is at cross road.
When squeezed on whether there is anyone who will contest against Amat Bah for the leadership,he stated that every member is eligible to contest for the leadership position of the party as they believe in democracy and open political process. Efforts to reach the party’s new media relation officer Pateh Bah order to shed more light on the issue proved futile
However, the Minority leader and the NAM for Niamina Dankunku Honorable Samba Jallow who is also an executive member when contacted confirm that they are on the verge of holding the congress next month adding that they are working on mechanisms and formalities with grass root consultation with party supporters to sensitize them of the upcoming congress.
Although the NRP has a representative in the house of Parliament who by default as the only opposition party affiliated elected member of Parliament became the minority leader, many people are looking at the party as struggling to be relevant in the political process since they made an isolated decision the contest the last parliamentary elections which gave President Jammeh some legitimacy in the disputed elections. Other opposition party also known as the group of six decided to not contest the elections until some political reforms are adhered by the IEC. As a result, the leader of the NRP has struggled to explain its poor decision to participate in the elections. Thus many see this congress as an effort to remain relevant and in the news.