UDP: There will no Monarchy in the Gambia

The United Democratic Party categorically condemns those Chiefs and their enablers travelling the country floating an intolerable idea of overturning our country from a constitutional Republic to a monarchy of their fancy. The very thought of divesting the Gambian people of their sovereign rights and transform them overnight to subjects goes beyond the normal antics of regime sycophants who have long lost their sense of dignity and self-worth.
It is a ridiculous agenda and dangerous attempt to subvert the will of the people at a time when most Gambians want a different direction for their country. They have witnessed the gradual dissipation of the rights and freedoms they have treasured and come to take for granted. Their freedoms, their liberty, their dignity and all the opportunities associated with those basic attributes have been undermined to such a devastating degree that most people feel perpetually besieged in their own country.
What Gambians continue to demand is the establishment of a two-term limit presidency so that we will not have self perpetuation of one government or individual in office.
To those propagating the retrogressive idea of establishing a monarchy, The UDP will stand with the Gambian people in letting it be known in no uncertain terms that we will do whatever it takes to safeguard the sovereignty and the Republican status of The Gambia. The UDP is proud of Gambia's constitutional status as a republic and will not condone anything or any attempt to derogate from that.
We demand the government to issue a clear and unequivocal statement affirming its commitment to maintaining the current constitutional order and clearly disasociate itself from the dangerous machinations of these misguided Chiefs and their minions.
The Gambian people's right of choosing their leaders is sacrosanct and this right has been exercised by them since the colonial era albeit at different stages of the country's constitutional development. It has always been the prerogative of the Gambian people to shape their destiny and by the grace of God it shall remain that way forever. We ask all Gambians to commit to saving themselves and their country by not only rejecting the ridiculous notion of turning themselves into someone's subjects but ensuring that the ill-thought idea is aborted from its inception. The will of the people cannot be overturned for a power grab.
One thing is certain, come 2011 we will have elections and we hope the Gambian people will use this opportunity to flush out the agents of these immature and dangerous ideas. When we do that then we do not have to worry about such ridiculous proposals.
Long Live The Republic of Gambia!
United Democratic PartyParty SecretariatBanjul, The Gambia
24th November, 2010