The return of former Minister Nigel Dharamlall to the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) candidate list for September 1 General and Regional Elections has triggered a wave of condemnation across political and civil society circles. At the centre of the controversy is not just a man but a symbol of broader questions about justice, leadership ethics, and the treatment of vulnerable communities in Guyana.
The PPP/C’s move has reignited public outrage and drawn sharp condemnation from prominent opposition figures and civil society advocates, who say it reflects a dangerous erosion of ethical leadership and disregard for victims of abuse—particularly from Indigenous communities.
Dharamlall resigned in 2023 from his post as Minister of Local Government and Regional Development amid serious allegations of rape involving an Indigenous teenager. Though no formal charges were laid, the allegations sparked national uproar and led to his resignation under intense political pressure.
Now, less than two years later, his political resurrection has become a lightning rod for criticism, with many questioning the PPP’s judgment and moral compass.
“A Betrayal of Public Trust”
Former Georgetown Mayor Pt. Ubraj Narine, in a searing op-ed, called the move a “shameful reflection” of the PPP’s priorities.
By reinstating Dharamlall, the PPP has chosen “power over principle, loyalty over law, and cover-up over accountability,” Narine wrote. “This is not just a tone-deaf [decision]—it is a betrayal. A betrayal of the Indigenous community, whose daughters were once paraded as symbols of PPP inclusiveness but are now shown that their dignity can be cast aside when political loyalty is more valuable than justice.”
Narine emphasised that Dharamlall’s return sends a chilling message to young girls across the country: that allegations of abuse can be politically erased, and that public office may be immune to moral scrutiny.
Forde: ‘An Insult to the Nation’s Daughters’
Senior Counsel and former opposition Member of Parliament Roysdale Forde echoed those sentiments in a separate statement, accusing the PPP of trampling on justice and decency.
“This is not only reprehensible—it is an insult. It is a grave insult to victims of abuse,” Forde wrote. “It is a slap in the face of Indigenous communities. It is a complete betrayal of the people’s trust and an open challenge to the values of accountability, decency, and respect that ought to define our democracy.”
Forde also pointed to Dharamlall’s role during the Mahdia Secondary School dormitory fire in 2023, which claimed the lives of 20 Indigenous children while he held ministerial oversight. No one in authority was held accountable in the aftermath, and Forde said that incident remains a deep scar on the nation’s conscience.
“To reinstate Nigel Dharamlall is to trample on the values of justice and decency. It is a betrayal of our nation’s daughters, and a mockery of the lives lost under his watch,” Forde stated.
PPP Silent Amid Backlash
As of press time, the PPP/C has not issued a public defense of its decision to include Dharamlall on its candidate list. Party insiders say the reinstatement was the result of internal negotiations, with senior officials downplaying the allegations, the resulting trauma, and public backlash over the former minister’s apparent complicity revealed in WhatsApp messages despite no formal charges.
Critics argue that the move reflects a deeper pattern within the PPP/C, one in which loyalty often trumps transparency, and party image is prioritised over public accountability.
Civil society leaders and women’s rights advocates have expressed alarm that Dharamlall’s return reinforces a culture of impunity for powerful men accused of sexual violence. Indigenous leaders have also voiced frustration, noting that their communities continue to face systemic neglect, especially when it comes to justice and protection for Indigenous women and girls.
A Broader Crisis of Leadership
The Dharamlall controversy is not just about one man. It is a stark reflection of the growing gap between Guyana’s political elite and the public’s demand for ethical leadership.
“This moment is about more than electoral strategy,” political analyst, Randy Gopaul told this publication. “It’s about whether our democracy still upholds the basic principle that public office is a privilege—not a refuge for those with unresolved stains on their record.”
As Guyanese head to the poll on September I, the PPP is now facing a crucial test: will its core supporters accept the return of a disgraced figure, or will public backlash force the party to reconsider?
For now, voices like Narine and Forde are urging Guyanese to remember, reflect, and resist what they describe as a dangerous slide into political moral decay.
“Enough is enough,” Narine concluded. “The PPP is asking for your vote while it openly reinstates a man who resigned in disgrace. That is not leadership. That is not justice. That is not acceptable!”
