The APNU+AFC Opposition, if it comes to it, is prepared to legally defend the Region Eight Regional Democratic Council (RDC) representatives yet to be sworn-in because of the Liberty and Justice Party’s (LJPs) change of mind on its candidate, Jimmy James.
The LJP has announced ongoing efforts to remove James through the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) initially, after he contracted COVID-19 and subsequently due to his support of the main Opposition.
“Mr. James who has the respect of the LJP’s executive no longer enjoys the confidence of the LJP and by his own admission is not aligned to the LJP, is no longer willing to serve in the capacity as an LJP representative and is aligned to the PNC,” LJP stated.
As such, members of the Region Eight RDC are yet to take their Oath of Office while all other RDCs have been sworn-in and have selected their Regional Chairman and Vice-Chairman. According to James, he is not interested in the current power struggle between the political parties but in representing the welfare of the people of Region Eight.
At a press conference on Monday, Opposition Leader, Joseph Harmon said that indigenous communities in Region Eight voted for their representatives and are entitled to have them represent them at the level of the RDC.
He then cautioned: “If, in fact, the PPP persists in this matter, we are going to assist that community with whatever help they need, if it be a legal challenge or otherwise, but it will be clear to the PPP/LJP that this type of bullyism will not stand in our indigenous communities…we will be guided, first of all, by the Region Eight Councilors as to whether in fact that’s the route they want to take. As I said, we are prepared to help them in whatever course of action they proposed to take but I don’t think this is a matter that has to go to Court. The Government has to take the mote out of its eye and do what is right by the people.”
The efforts to remove and replace James have been persistent. LJP representative John Flores recently told the media that James was ill and didn’t want the position. However, in an interview with the Village Voice News last Thursday, James said that he was in good health and very much interested in representing the people of Region Eight.
The LJP wants James, the primary candidate on their list, to be replaced by Claris Francisco, the alternate.
