Dear Editor,
The year 2021 will go down in the annals of Guyanese political history as the year that shaped the future of this oil-rich country. Unfortunately, confrontation and conflict-driven by the negative policies and governance of the ruling PPPC/ government are unavoidable.
In the last few months, the PPPC has demonstrated beyond any shadow of a doubt its commitment to its previous governance style of domination and dictatorial governance, leaving the most optimistic of their election allies in political sinking sand and trying to hold on to the PPPC’s elusive “democracy”. The government proposed electoral reform draft bill, the imposition of a partisan CEO in GECOM and most grievous, the recent passing of the National Resource Fund (NRF) despite widespread criticisms fell on deaf ears.
Their rejection of a compromise for the bill to be sent to the Parliamentary Select Committee allowing the nation more time to discuss it is most egregious. The government response to this reasonable demand from Guyanese across the political/race divide at home and aboard amounts to a squandering of the “democratic dividend” it received in the post-2020 elections. They have thrown down the “gauntlet”. It is now for the masses, the political opposition in/out of the parliament, and civil society to rise up in defense of the nation’s patrimony which is been expropriated by the rulers.
As a nation, we have two choices: either we struggle and end this abomination or we stand condemned by future generations and live with the negative consequences. Every people that call themself a nation at some point in their history have to define the parameters/rules that govern them, and the latitude given to those who rule them. Guyana is faced with its moment of truth. What we do or fail to do will make or break this nation our destiny is in our hands. The rulers have chosen a reckless path, leaving the rest of us with no choice but to resist/fight back will all our collective might. Nothing short of such action will achieve the objective. Given what is at stake – it will require an unprecedented response that will force the rulers to realize that the nation stands united and that enough is enough.
This is simply a matter of the rats wanting to run away with the cheese in broad daylight.
Regards
Tacuma Ogunseye
