believes that a less pervasive and intrusive government as opposed to the current over-centralized and authoritarian regime is necessary in order to release the creative energies of the Gambian people and to encourage wider social, economic, and political inclusion. Our party intends to reduce the power of government and return to grassroots democracy." Opposition Throughout the People's Progressive Party's period in Gambian national spotlight, there were times of growing discontent with the government. Not only did opposition candidates stem from that discontent, but many opposition parties were created to run against the PPP. National Convention Party (NCP) The National Convention Party (NCP) was an opposition party to the PPP launched on September 7, 1975. The leader of the party at the time was Sheriff M. Dibba, the former first Vice-President of the Gambia. After a political scandal, he resigned as Vice-President in 1972 and later founded the NCP. The 1981 Gambian coup d'état was led by a former NCP candidate. Members of the People's Progressive Party suspected that the NCP was in support of the coup attempt and subsequently, many members of the NCP were arrested. In the 1987 elections, the NCP won five seats in the legislature. Though Dawda Jawara won the presidential election, Dibba, the presidential candidate from the NCP, won 28% of the vote. Then in 1992, the NCP won six seats in the legislature. Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC) The Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC) is a political party formed after the 1994 coup d'état. The ideology that led to the coup was discontent with the PPP; alleged corruption and a lack of economic development over time. The main figure that dominated the APRC was Yahya Jammeh, who became president in 1996 and served until the 2016 Gambian presidential election. Under Jammeh and the APRC's rule, there were numerous reports of human rights abuses and suppression of the media. Notable members Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara served as the leader of the People's Progressive Party from 1959 until 1994 when he was overthrown. He is responsible for changing the name of the party from the Protectorate People's Party to the People's Progressive Party. Before serving as president for the Gambia he was elected into the legislature in 1960. During this time, he also served as the minister of education. He later became the prime minister of the Gambia in