By Roysdale Forde S.C.- In the life of every nation, there come moments that demand more than mere decisions; they demand unyielding conviction and unwavering courage. Today, Guyana stands at such a crossroads. As a proud son of this land, devoted to its people and justice, I stand firmly with the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R), the steadfast cornerstone of our nation’s heritage and a powerful force for equity, progress and unity.
Make no mistake, the fundamentals of the PNC/R remain strong, unshakable and unbreakable. Rooted in timeless principles, the party has withstood the test of history and remains the foundation upon which our future must be built.
This is the party whose Founder Leader, Forbes Burnham, led Guyana to independence in 1966 with a vision captured in six words — “One People, One Nation, One Destiny.” This is no empty slogan. It is a sacred pledge, a solemn promise to every Guyanese.
On the international stage, the PNC/R has championed the cause of worldwide comity and respect for nationhood, whether small or large. In successive governments where the PNC played a role, the party stood firm that every country, regardless of size, deserves dignity, sovereignty and a rightful place in the community of nations. This is the mark of a party that understands true leadership and responsibility.
Yet today, we hear calls for “one Guyana.” This phrase, even if well-meaning, lacks the depth and inclusiveness of “One People, One Nation, One Destiny.” That powerful motto embraces every Guyanese — Amerindians, Africans, Indians, Europeans, Chinese, Portuguese, and all mixed races — as equally important and valued. It calls on us to unite beyond ethnicity, beyond politics, to stand shoulder to shoulder as one people, bound by one destiny.
True unity is not a slogan to be whispered lightly; it is a battle cry that demands real action and real commitment. To replace or dilute this vision is to weaken the very fabric of our nation.
In 1964, Premier Forbes Burnham made clear the Party’s conviction that:
“…all the people of this country are equally important, whether they belong to a large group or a small group…the Amerindians are important…the Chinese are important…the Portuguese are important…the Europeans are important…the mixed races are important…the Africans are important…the Indians are important. In short, all Guyanese are important and valued members of our community, and we cherish them and consider…it is [the] duty and privilege [of Government] to guard, protect and further the real interests of all.”
It’s a conviction we remain committed to 61 years later.
To honour Burnham’s legacy today means defending these nation-building values with every breath we have. It is the PNC that guided Guyana from independence to republic status, forging alliances to protect our sovereignty and promote equality.
My commitment to the PNC/R, a founding pillar of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), is a commitment to principle over politics. The PNC/R remains the bulwark standing between justice and injustice, inclusion and exclusion, unity and division.
Since its founding, the PNC/R has been the voice of the marginalised, the defender of the disenfranchised. It has always put the Rule of Law and national cohesion above partisan gain, and principled policy above populist appeasement.
At its core, the PNC/R represents the hopes of all Guyanese, regardless of race, region, or background, to live in a country where opportunity is earned through merit and fairness, not handed out by favouritism or political allegiance. This is the vision that fuels my unwavering allegiance.
Conversely, under the current People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) administration, too many are marginalised, especially our minority communities, and this must end.
The state has been seized by corruption and become a tool of political patronage. Public contracts are awarded not on merit but on loyalty, and commitment of kickbacks. Jobs go to supporters, not to the qualified. Communities outside PPP strongholds are left behind, ignored, neglected, forgotten.
These are not empty accusations. They are the harsh realities lived by countless Guyanese. These are not opposition rhetoric. The realities expose a truth we cannot afford to ignore — the erosion of national unity and the weakening of our democracy.
To stand with the PNC/R is to stand for justice, dignity, and fairness. The PNC/R and APNU are the last line of defense against a corrupt administration bent on consolidating power, deepening divisions, and silencing dissent. Without the PNC/R, there would be no check on lawlessness and unchecked authority, no voice for those deliberately silenced and sidelined.
And in these elections, we must get it right! History will not remember those who stayed silent in the face of injustice; it will remember those who had the courage to fight for the soul of our nation-one where law reigns supreme, prosperity is shared, where opportunity is real, where all are respected.
As we seek to make the choice come September 1, we must ask ourselves: Will we accept a future where power is hoarded by a few or will we fight for a nation that belongs to all? Our nation’s future, the dignity of our people, and the very soul of Guyana depend on what we do at the ballot box.
We must rise with patriotism and purpose. We must Vote! Vote APNU.
Voting for APNU is not simply a political choice — it is a sacred duty to protect democracy, to demand fairness, and to secure a better life for every Guyanese. Because the future of Guyana depends on it. Our nation’s life, our people’s hope, and our children’s inheritance depend on it.
