Mr Sheriff Mustapha Dibba, the former Speaker of the National Assembly, yesterday called on President Yahya Jammeh at State House to renew his loyalty and allegiance to him and his government.

Speaking at the occasion, President Jammeh said sometimes both pleasant and unpleasant things happen but he has faith in Almighty Allah, emphasising that human beings are governed by the might of Amighty Allah. He noted that what happened on March 21 was unfortunate, but he has already taken it in good faith.

According to him, when he appointed Mr Dibba as the Speaker of the National Assembly, he knew that he was from the opposition, but he nonetheless appointed him because the country belongs to every Gambian -  whether opposition or not,  they have a duty and a role to play. He disclosed that he has no hard feelings against Mr Dibba, saying that  God will always be on the side of whoever has a clean heart and a clear conscience. He maintained that he would not like to infringe on the rights of any innocent person.

President Jammeh said he does not dislike the opposition but he is against tribalists and self-centred people who do not wish the country well. He noted that  a genuine opposition is part and parcel of any living society. According to him, tribalism is not part of democracy because it is a recipe for chaos. He warned Gambians to beware of tribalists who hide behind democracy to propagate their idealogy of hate.

Sheriff Dibba, for his part, thanked the President for giving him the opportunity to meet him to renew his loyalty, noting that his conscience is clear and that he believes in democracy where people elect a government on their own free-will. He added that he will never support a coup, which is why he was among the people who condemned the abortive coup. Mr Dibba asserted that he joined the government not because he was hungry for position, but to contribute to the development of the country. According to him, he cherished the four years he served as the Speaker of the National Assembly.

For her part, Vice President Dr Ajaratou Isatou Njie-Saidy thanked the former Speaker for having the courage to meet the President to reaffirm his allegiance to him. She urged all Gambians to  work hand in hand with the government, regardless of their  political affiliations.