Bharrat Jagdeo Fails to Keep His Word, Unlike Prime Minister Rowley

Dear Editor,

After over forty (40) years of service to public life, former Prime Minister Dr. Keith Christopher Rowley has decided to step down. In 2024, he announced that by March 2025, he would retire from politics to spend quality time with his family. True to his word, Dr. Rowley has not wavered.

Dr. Rowley has always been one of my favorite leaders in the Caribbean. I greatly admired how he addressed the issues affecting the people of Trinidad and Tobago. It is clear that Dr. Rowley was beloved by his people, as they rallied around and supported him throughout his tenure.

I recall the aftermath of the March 2020 GRE debacle, when Dr. Rowley, along with other Caribbean leaders such as Dr. Keith Mitchell (Grenada), Dr. Ralph Gonsalves (St. Vincent and the Grenadines), Roosevelt Skerrit (Dominica), and Mia Mottley (Barbados), was initially invited by President David Granger for consultations. Following these meetings, Dr. Rowley, along with Dr. Mitchell and Mr. Skerrit, refrained from interfering in the internal politics of Guyana. Instead, he focused on encouraging all parties to bring the electoral impasse to a peaceful resolution.

After dedicating over forty years to his country, Dr. Rowley chose to pass the baton to the younger Stuart Young, who had served in his government. This transition took place before the scheduled 2025 general election in Trinidad and Tobago. This is what true leadership looks like. Dr. Rowley did not announce his retirement only to reverse the decision; he maintained his resolve.

Now, Guyanese, do you recall when Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo, during a media engagement, stated he was “neither interested in a formal position in the government nor in anything full-time” (Stabroek News, January 31, 2012)? It seems clear to me that absolute power has corrupted his mind. Since being denied a third term under the constitution, allegedly he has manipulated the system to install figures like Donald Ramotar and Irfaan Ali as Presidents, so he could retain influence and extend his hold on power.

The maturity shown by Dr. Rowley stands in stark contrast to Mr. Jagdeo, whose life appears driven by greed, selfishness, dishonesty, and an insatiable thirst for power. Under Jagdeo’s leadership, Guyanese witnessed twelve years of governance, during which the country’s economy was damaged, Guyana was classified as a narco-state, extrajudicial killings, corruption index high, and key systems and the rule of law derailed. The question we must ask ourselves is, Do we, as a nation, want to endure another five years under the influence of Jagdeo and the PPP/C after the 2025 General and Regional Elections? I will boldly say, not me.

On a personal note, I would like to extend my gratitude to Dr. Keith Rowley for his leadership as Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago and for his significant contributions to CARICOM. I wish him all the best as he enters retirement from public service.

Finally, I extend my best wishes to Mr. Stuart Young, to whom Dr. Rowley has passed the baton. May he be blessed with God’s favor, guidance, and protection as he takes on the responsibilities of leading Trinidad and Tobago.

Yours truly,

Annette Ferguson, MP