Guyanese must no longer be shackled by fear or fear the vindictiveness of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP). The demolition of the People’s National Congress’ (PNC) Lethem Office at approximately 1:00 a.m. on Thursday morning by the PPP government has all the characteristics of something sinister.
When the PPP demolished the Lethem Office, the party declared war on the members and supporters of the PNC and their allies, home and abroad. In civilised societies there is an unwritten sacrosanct rule that political parties and government do not steal from and or destroy the properties of their rivals. If they do, they attract condemnation across the divide.
I remain convinced they are good and upstanding citizens that support the government and other political parties, apart from the A Partnership of National Unity and Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC), who are unhappy with the new political low. I, like the public, however, would like to hear their statement of displeasure.
No government, in this beloved country, must be allowed to sink to the pits of political depravity and not hear the resounding voice of disapproval from citizens and diplomatic allies.
57 years of independence and 43 years as a republic, political regression and thuggery are not options if we are to build a Guyana consistent with the motto, “One People One Nation One Destiny.” This realistic aspiration of our forebears on the dawn of independence must not dim but sparkle.
Honourable Member, Ms. Amanza Walton-Desir, at the PNC’s press conference on Thursday, advised us GECOM documents that were supposed to have been submitted at 18:00 hrs on Thursday were removed from the premise during the demolition, along with other documents, including the party’s records, that have confidential information.
The destruction and or removal of GECOM’s documents have implications for the integrity of the electoral process in determining the eligibility of persons to vote, free and fair elections, and elections free from fair. The party’s records which, also include its membership roll, are likely in the hands of persons who should not have them.
The exposure of records to those not authorised to be in possession of them is not without dire implications and political ramifications at the party and national levels. Persons could only speculate what these documents could now be used for.
Neither President Ali nor his Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, S.C, M.P, can pretend not to know about the demolition exercise. If they do not know or did not authorise the act, then they must be bold enough to order an inquiry, including who issued the directive to the Guyana Police Force to provide protection for unlawful actions.
What happened at the Lethem Office bears similarities to the United States Watergate scandal. On June 17, 1972 burglars broke into the Democratic National Convention office, in Washington, D.C. They bugged the office and stole documents. Investigations revealed U.S President Richard Nixon, a Republican, was behind the break in.
The Honourable Minister Dharamlall, who has responsibility for Local Government and Regional Development, was quoted in Demerara Waves (2nd March 2022) saying the building that housed the party’s office was earmarked for a healthcare facility. The Region Nine Regional Executive Officer said the party has been written to several times about vacating the building.
Even if what they are saying may be true, their actions are in breach of the law of trespass and the related bundle of rights associated therewith and possession.
Guyanese, like others, would be hard pressed to believe there was any honourable intent on the government’s part when they demolished the building at wee hours of the morning, under the protection of the Police, and carted away confidential documents of their main political rival.
We must address our minds as to whether any Guyanese can feel confident President Ali government and the PPP will not invade their personal space and the privacy of other organisations, irrespective of the constitution and laws that prescribe protection and appropriate course of action. We are in a dangerous place when law and rights are not respected in President Ali’s ‘one Guyana.’
