"Boat gone a falls," is a most fitting way to descibe the events that unfolded during nomination day for local government elections in Guyana last week.
Amidst reports of monies being paid to APNU supporters to cross the aisle, one glaring certainty stands out. That is since being elected opposition leader in April 2022, Aubrey Norton has suddenly become an ineffective leader. Now this begs the question why? Writing as a lay woman, as I am by no means a political analyst, it just does not seem plausible that a fighter suddenly turns into a limp noodle.
Norton's long history with the PNC, has its roots in the Young Socialist Movement, the youth arm of the PNC. Undoubtedly then a nationalist, Norton had a reputation for being aggressive and one who would get down in the trenches with constituents if need be. In fact, it is thought that his reported lack of finesse was partially responsible for him being held back, as the so-called genteel upper echelons of the party were not comfortable with that.
Further, if one revisits Norton's achievement in winning back the seat in the traditional Linden stronghold (2011) for example and measure it against his performance, or lack thereof after one year as opposition leader, it would rankle.
This was a man who was not afraid to speak out. Norton publicly chastised the then general secretary and party leadership. Following the 18th Biennial PNC Congress (July 2014), at a press conference, Norton alleged that the party's electoral system was manipulated to ensure that the incumbent David Granger remained as leader. He accused the GS and leadership of complicity. A view held by several within the party, including a returning officer who was subsequently given a diplomatic posting overseas.
The PNC is a party to which Norton has given his life. So why now when he is finally at the helm, Norton appears to have morphed into a seemingly intentionally ineffective church mouse? In some quarters, there are rumblings and allegations of monetary incentives to deliberately be an ineffectual leader and not rock the boat. After all, it stands to reason that Exxon does not want to conduct operations in a politically volatile and unstable climate.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the switching of loyalties by former APNU members, too came with allegations of buying that loyalty. Several recognisable actors such as former Mayor Patricia Chase-Greene and Trichria Richards donned red shirts in support of the PPP. President Irfan Ali in a Face Book post has since denied this. However, such claims persist with people disclosing the amounts they received. Also, there have been allegations of coercion. In Region Three, it is alleged that some workers were instructed to wear red and march to Greenwich Park Primary School or lose a day's wages. It must be mentioned that Norton did come forward with claims of irregularities and forgeries on the lists of candidates. One such list of various names seen was entirely written and quite shamelessly signed by one person.
Additionally, reports are that vice President Jagdeo has apologised to a Berbice Family after Joanna Jacob posted on social media that her dead mother's signature had been forged on a PPP candidate's supporting document. (Newsroom April 21) Evidently, it would seem the PPP itself does not have clean hands and is preparing to rig the local government elections.
Further, it is notable, that in the traditional PNC stronghold of Linden, there was a sizeable turn out of obviously new PPP supporters. A people who have been left to flounder, will have no choice but to go where they can get some benefits.
Since the 2020 elections, what has APNU done for its supporters? To date, former President Granger has not had the humility to address the party's constituents after the loss. What are the party's plans to win over the voter population? Perhaps, a more pertinent question would be does it have any such concrete plans? How is it working for its supporters? For the most part, they are left to wander in the wilderness. So, who can blame them for going where they think they can benefit. In exchange for selling their votes perhaps they'll get jobs and be able to feed their children. At the end of the day, people can vote however they choose. During APNU's short-lived foray in office, many claims of being ignored were made by constituents. One of the acts that continues to leave a bitter taste, is the rewarding of itself with salary increases shortly after entering office. It may have been prudent to actually show first, steps towards tangible improvements in the lives of ordinary citizens. Naked despair and apathy are evident among the poor and unconnected Afro-Guyanese who continue to be treated as second class citizens in their in own country. The apparently rudderless and ineffective opposition has to stem the rot within or it will continue to bleed the few supporters it has left.
Please do not misinterpret my writing to mean anything other than freedom of choice. People have an inalienable right to choose which political party to follow. My issue is with nefarious and foul means by which, votes are obtained and political leaders who continue to fail their constituents whether for their own selfish gains or otherwise.
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