Opposition Leader Norton Accuses PPP of Reviving Divide-and-Rule Tactics Ahead of Elections

Leader of the Opposition, Aubrey C. Norton, MP, has launched a scathing attack on the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) government, warning Guyanese to be vigilant against what he describes as the government’s “divide and rule” strategy aimed at clinging to power ahead of the upcoming General and Regional Elections.

In a fiery statement issued Wednesday, Norton painted a picture of a government in “panic,” losing public support and resorting to “dangerous and desperate” tactics to maintain control. He blamed the PPP’s alleged decline on “incompetence, corruption, and a desire to dominate every aspect of life in Guyana.”

“Despite oil wealth, poverty persists,” Norton declared, adding that the Guyanese people are “not benefiting” and are now pushing back “both passively and actively.”

Revisiting a controversial and painful chapter in the country’s history, Norton accused the PPP of reviving old authoritarian practices. “We remember the dark days of the death squads under the PPP watch, where over 1,400 lives were tragically lost,” he said, alluding to alleged state-linked extrajudicial killings and political violence during previous PPP administrations.

He also charged the PPP with stoking ethnic division, manipulating law enforcement, and compromising individuals “in conflict with the law” to secure loyalty. “No one is safe with the PPP in power,” Norton warned, referencing recent incidents where former PPP supporters were allegedly targeted for dissent.

In particular, Norton highlighted a shift in state security strategy that he claims is designed to reassert control under a different name. “The PPP is arming itself through the establishment of security services aligned to the party,” he alleged. “The days of community policing groups, once tools of oppression, are over — and we will not allow them to resurface in any form.”

Calling for national unity, especially among the “poor and vulnerable,” Norton urged Guyanese to resist “bribery and manipulation,” and to prepare for what he described as a political turning point.

“Let us remain steadfast in our conviction to remove the PPP from office,” Norton said. “Together, we will reclaim Guyana for its entire people and ensure that oil money benefits all.”

The PPP has not yet publicly responded to Norton’s claims. However, with the 2025 elections fast approaching, the Opposition Leader’s remarks underscore rising political tensions and the central role oil wealth, governance, and national identity are likely to play in the coming campaign.

See full statement below:

Statement by the Leader of the Opposition,

Aubrey C. Norton, MP

BE AWARE OF THE PPP DIVIDE AND RULE STRATEGY

The PPP is steadily losing support daily, is imploding and is in fear and panicking. They are in this position because of their incompetence, corruption, divisiveness, and desire to dominate and control every aspect of the lives of Guyanese. Unfortunately, poverty continues to persist amidst oil wealth and therefore the Guyanese people are not benefiting and are fighting back both passively and actively.

I urge all Guyanese to hold the line of battle as we link our arms in unity. Let us remain steadfast in our conviction to remove the PPP from office.

Let us not forget the tactics the PPP has used in the past. They incite fear among our people to divide and rule. They bribed, corrupted and compromised many. They have recruited persons who are in conflict with the law that they can control. They used the police to intimidate and stoke unrest and ethnic insecurity and animosity among the Guyanese people. We must be conscious of these facts and reject the PPP

We remember the dark days of the death squads under the PPP watch, where over 1,400 lives were tragically lost. We remember the rampant shootings of protesters, the era of vigilante justice, and the false post-mortem reports to cover up the truth. They are playing this same dangerous game at present.

Today, we see worrying signs once again. The hounding of even those who supported them but dared to challenge them; this is a clear signal that no one is safe with the PPP in power. This is only the beginning of the PPP’s desperate attempts to cling to power as we march towards the 2025 elections, when we will finally rid our country of PPP incompetence, corruption and divisiveness. We must not allow the PPP TO DIVIDE AND RULE.

The PPP has recognised that the people of Guyana became aware that community policing groups were used as arms of the PPP regime. The people have rejected the community policing approach.

There is a new approach to the PPP arming itself. It is through the establishment of security services aligned to the PPP and armed by the PPP. Let me be very clear, the days of community policing groups; once tools of oppression, are over. We will not allow them to resurface in any form, even under the guise of security services.

I call on all Guyanese, especially the poor and vulnerable, to remain vigilant and to protect your families. Do not be lured by the bribery of this corrupt, incompetent and divisive government that is only interested in enriching themselves, their families, their friends and favourites. Let us make the change.

We promise you a government that will PUT THE PEOPLE FIRST. There is no limit to what the PPP might attempt in their desperation to regain the support they have lost over the past four plus years. We must be vigilant, focused and united in our resolve to rid Guyana of the PPP government.

Together, we will persevere. Together, we will reclaim Guyana for its entire people and ensure that oil money benefits the people of Guyana. Remember; if Guyana is to grow the PPP must go!