The ABCE will not stand idly and allow democracy to erode or be erased

Dear Editor,

WELL, what else is new? Just as was expected, the APNU+AFC Party walked out of the National Assembly just after taking their oaths yesterday. This happened at the opening of the 12th sitting of Parliament at the ACCC, an alternative to the Parliament Building Chambers due to the COVID-19 crisis and, resuming after an absence of 467 days. Mansoor Nadir was sworn in as the new Speaker of the House and Lenox Shuman as the Deputy Speaker of the House, out voting APNU+AFC Party’s submission of Raphael Trotman. One would recall the famous “Chase them out” election speech by the General Secretary for the PPP/C party during the election campaign that created quite a stir.

Well, no one did anything of the sort yesterday but on their own accord, they made an early departure and it wasn’t to catch a flight. Was it because of embarrassment? Were they too ashamed to face the public? Were they not ready as the bold and beautiful to defend lies, deceits, dishonesty and integrity? Are they still reeling from their defeat and have not recovered to stand firm in front of the media and press? Are they still in a state of shock to think and speak without a forked tongue? Do they still need time to straighten their convoluted minds? Perhaps, the best escape route is to dodge and run when heavily burdened with a guilty conscience! But when bruised, battered and in excruciating pain, bed rest is a good remedy.

Then again, the APNU+AFC is accustomed to all play, no work and free money from big draw down! No wonder the PPP/C government is on a clean-up campaign mood to wipe the slate from all the “fat cat” pays that milked the cow without lifting a finger. Electing, mind you not selecting, the true and real son of the soil as deputy was such a convenient reason for the ideal season! The cat pounced on the mouse. The PPP/C (aimlessly or carelessly) hit the ball straight into the waiting APNU+AFC party’s hands.

Guyana wonders what inventory method the APNU+AFC Party prefers! Is their choice Fi-Fo or Li-Fo? Is their train of thought derailed, on a waiting list or in a parking lot? Sorry, there is no train in Guyana, the PNC banned the train system for the bus system and that system was busted too! Who will they turn to for help, Chris Ram or the Auditor General, certainly not the wily one who is a sore loser or the athlete that trots at a two per cent speed then to one per cent! Queuing up for service was created by the PNC nickname of “GuyLine.” In any civilised society, the respect for “first come, first served’ is expected, unless you are part of the vulgar and rumbustious cabal.

Ole people say, “blood runs in vein, not in drain” and “muma does feel for pickney.” If this is so true, why would you deliberately make the call to your children and expose them to danger? Are they your outside children that is why you are not so concerned about their safety, or, the call came from a recalcitrant father who is not as humane as a mother? Then again, the Devil comes in every nook and cranny and in every shape and size to do his job. Both sides of the divide acknowledged that the Guyana Elections Commission is an “independent” entity and is not politically influenced.

APNU+AFC further claimed that they do not dictate to or control the personnel or the work of GECOM. Yet, today, when personnel from the GECOM Secretariat are charged with misconduct, it is the very APNU+AFC Party that stands to support and defend the wrong doers and called out the entire nation to protest and support their cause. Of course, one can understand why since, it was the very personnel who are charged, they are the ones who did the dirty work of the APNU+AFC Party.

They were mere instruments, fooled and misguided, certainly unable to think for themselves and lacked foresight and in hindsight, now regretting and paying for their errors and mistakes. Were bribery and coercion involved? One of them was promoted, on whose direction and recommendation? Will they confess and confirm who were the intellectual authors who orchestrated the operation and called the shots? The miscreants were certainly not left to “walk alone.”

The PNC cannot shed its skin nor can they remain disguised for too long. They have to exercise their true nature otherwise they will translate their frustration through various outlets, sometime. It is either their way or the highway. Violence has always manifested itself after each election in various degrees except for the 2015. It was just a matter of time for a repeat for the 2020 election. The scene has shifted from Demerara to Berbice. But, mind you, the ABCE is still very much alive, present and observing.

US Secretary of State, Mr. Mike Pompeo’s tweet to President Irfaan Ali on Monday was not merely coincidental. He reiterated the US commitment to help Guyana to advance shared values, economic prosperity and security in the region. The ABCE will not stand idle and allow democracy to erode or be erased after their huge sacrifice. CARICOM is paying rapid attention also to Guyana’s daily activities and share the same view with the ABCE. People want peace PNC.

Respectfully,
Jai Lall