The Public’s Trust Has Been Damaged By The PPP’s Primacy- Saul  

By Lt Col (ret’d) Lelon Saul-In Guyana’s political lexicon, “paramountcy” refers to the situation where the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP) dominates state institutions and prioritizes party interests over democratic standards. Since the 1950s, the PPP has positioned itself as a defender of Indo-Guyanese interests, leveraging historical ethnic tensions to consolidate its power. Critics argue that this approach has weakened democracy and governance, resulting in the widespread politicization of key institutions, as well as fostering nepotism and cronyism.

From independence in 1966, the Afro-Guyanese-dominated People’s National Congress (PNC) and the PPP, which Cheddi Jagan co-founded, have taken turns holding the reins of power. Particularly under Presidents Bharrat Jagdeo (1999–2011) and Irfaan Ali (2020–present), the party’s doctrine has changed from socialism to neoliberal pragmatism. In the PPP’s post-1992 rule, the idea of “party paramountcy” arose, representing attempts to instil party allegiance in state institutions, frequently at the price of institutional integrity.

One of the most prominent issues is the ongoing accusation of political bias against the Guyana Police Force (GPF). The GPF has faced criticism for its perceived ethnic favouritism and its failure to prevent violence against Afro-Guyanese opposition supporters during the 2020 election crisis. Reports from the Carter Center and Commonwealth observers highlighted anomalies, such as the delayed inquiries into individuals associated with the People’s Progressive Party (PPP). Additionally, from 2002 to 2008, the GPF was accused of suppressing anti-government demonstrations through “crime wave” crackdowns that disproportionately affected opposition strongholds.

Further, partisan nominations threaten judicial independence. The contentious nomination of the current Attorney General’s ex-wife to the high court in 2024 has raised concerns that the PPP is attempting to pack the judiciary with loyalists. While opposition leaders face expedited legal actions, cases involving PPP officials—such as the corruption allegations against former Health Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy—have seen significant delays. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) has highlighted these judicial inefficiencies as a form of political repression.

Unfortunately, public service selections frequently prioritize allegiance to the PPP over genuine merit. State organizations, including the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) and the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), have been widely criticized for awarding contracts to party affiliates. A striking 2021 analysis by Global Witness revealed that lucrative contracts were handed out to companies aligned with the PPP, lacking transparency and raising serious concerns about irregularities in the oil sector. This underscores a troubling pattern of favouritism that undermines fair competition and accountability in government operations

PPP patronage networks are well-established. While “sweetheart deals” in mining and logging under Jagdeo benefitted party elites, Irfaan Ali’s administration came under fire for assigning family members to advisory positions. Moreover, state capture by political and economic elites in Guyana “fosters misappropriation of resources, illicit enrichment, and an environmental crime,” according to the Transparency International (TI) Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) Report 2024.

Despite the challenges faced by the business, the nation continues to see management positions within the sugar industry—a stronghold of the PPP—occupied by loyalists rather than qualified and competent individuals.

The public’s trust has been damaged by the PPP’s primacy. As Indo-Guyanese control state sectors and Afro-Guyanese communities experience marginalization, ethnic polarization is made worse. Despite Guyana’s oil boom, economic diversification is hampered by institutional degradation.

The governance crisis in ethnically divided nations is starkly illustrated by the dominance of the PPP. Although the party has driven economic growth, its heavy reliance on patronage and outdated political institutions jeopardizes long-term stability. To reinstate accountability, robust civil society activism and concerted international pressure are crucial. Without meaningful reforms, Guyana risks becoming trapped in a vicious cycle of corruption and discord, threatening the very foundations of its democracy.