The Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC) leader, Fabakary Tombong Jatta, has flatly refuted allegations that his organisation is to blame for the National Youth President of the National People’s Party (NPP) not being able to find a bureau. FTJ called for unity within the APRC ranks and rejected the accusations as unfounded during a speech at an APRC assembly in Foni Kampant on Saturday.
According to some, we are the cause of the NPP National Youth President’s lack of a bureau. That is a total miscommunication. Such a statement would only be made by those who are not well informed, Jatta said. “APRC is who we are. We are not involved in the internal affairs of the NPP; they have their own structures. They also have no influence on how our structures are set up. Nobody in their party should bring up personal matters with the APRC. We do not speak two languages at APRC, that much is evident.
Jatta rejected any idea of betrayal within the party and reiterated the APRC’s unwavering adherence to its ideals. “We are in the same place as before. We stayed dedicated even when the coalition was created under difficult times. We don’t double-speak or betray others. We hold that only God has the power to fulfil everyone’s desires. He underlined that nothing can impede someone’s achievement, even if you hate them, if God wills it.
A breakaway faction inside the party was also given an olive branch by the APRC leader, who urged them to come back and unite under the APRC banner.
“Mistakes are made by everyone, but the worst mistake is not owning up to them. Our doors are still open. Together, let’s raise the green flag once more. Every argument should ultimately be resolved since we are aware that we are a large party,” he said.
Speaking at the occasion was Bakary Jaiteh, widely known as Baxo, a well-known APRC supporter. He warned against political rivals trying to infiltrate APRC ranks and commended FTJ’s leadership in bringing the party back to stability after challenging times.
“The party has returned to normalcy because of Fabakary, even though they fought against the APRC government,” Baxo stated. They have since shifted their tactics, stating that you should join them if you are unable to overcome your adversaries. We need to be on guard and prevent them from taking advantage of us. The APRC did nothing for The Gambia, according to these same individuals. They said that we didn’t support development or construct schools. However, we will remind them that APRC was responsible for the construction of the Kerewan Bridge, the introduction of rural electricity, the inception of the OIC project, and the construction of highways such as the North Bank Road.
Strong demands for party unity and a restatement of the APRC’s contributions to national development marked the end of the meeting.
