By Seedy Jobe
Hon. Omar Ceesay, former National Assembly member for Niamina East, has called for all opposition parties in The Gambia to unite under a coalition, warning that the absence of key players—including the United Democratic Party (UDP) and the People’s Democratic Organisation for Independence and Socialism (PDOIS)—threatens the effort.
In a statement on his Facebook page, Ceesay said, “Every single party is not one party too much, and any single individual is not one person too many in forming a coalition.” He added that the main hurdle is not the discussions about forming a coalition but determining who will lead it.
“The issue isn’t solely about opposition members and related parties openly discussing the formation of a coalition; the real challenge lies in reaching an agreement on who will lead it,” he said, noting that debates over selection, nomination, or election of leaders remain the primary obstacle.
Ceesay’s remarks underscore the ongoing difficulties facing opposition parties as they try to mount a unified challenge to the incumbent government. Analysts say the absence of major parties like UDP and PDOIS represents a significant gap in coalition-building efforts.
“We need every player on board!” Ceesay urged, emphasizing the importance of unity in achieving a successful opposition coalition. His comments come amid ongoing talks among opposition parties ahead of the upcoming elections.