I’m disgusted and fed-up with President Irfaan Ali’s open display of contempt for fellow Guyanese. Not a day goes by that Guyanese and the world do not have to witness his behaviour that is not only ordinary but bovine, crude and not befitting the office he holds. When he is not out on the streets telling people he is a ‘bad man,’ he is pointing his finger in faces, particularly women, or shouting at elected leaders at community events.
This man has no regard for people, institutions nor systems.
Recently he was on a walkabout in the Werk-en-Rust area where he was caught on camera pointing his fingers in a woman’s face who dared to hold him accountable, and thereby reminded him that he is the chief servant of the public, paid by the people and accountable to the people.
He treats women like this because he is aware if it were a man, having invaded his personal space in that manner, he might have been slapped. What he is doing is using state authority to bully citizens into silence and compliance. Kudos to that woman who stood her ground, and forced him into a position of weakness, where he retreated and went into a rant of blaming the opposition for spreading hate on the television.
Another incident was the Mocha situation. At a community meeting where he presided he shouted down the community’s elected leader who stood to ask a question and make a comment. He revelled in the response he received from those, who like him, applauded a bovine behaviour. The nation is rapidly descending into a cesspool, led by some in elected office who either don’t know better, were not properly brought up/trained or refuse to see the value in proper behaviour.
Even the fisherman that some associate with a certain type of behaviour I can show at least 10 who are more dignified in their behavior than Ali.
Only a thug would see the need to throw his weight around. A confident leader doesn’t need to disrespect and bully others to assert himself. People can sense confidence when a leader appears on the scene , they can see it in one’s deportment, the way the person interacts and treats others. A leader does not have to bully people to gain acceptance.
Ali has an insatiable appetite for acceptance. He and his band of merrymen and women have come up with a debased strategy where Guyanese are now being compelled to publicly express gratitude to the regime for giving them what they are entitled and what are the state’s resources not Jagdeo/Ali’s.
For instance, the recent announcement of the meagre taxable retroactive pay saw public sector workers and the military forced to publicly express gratitude. Several police informed me they were instructed to gather in various areas and publicly demonstrate their appreciation for Ali’s announcement, fully aware they will be photographed or recorded. Some confessed they fear had they not engaged in the masquerade they would lose their jobs or be blacklisted for any future promotion. One man said to me,”Mr. Lewis, we also have to feed our families and keep a roof over our heads.”
Irfaan Ali’s behaviour is unacceptable, and we must not countenance this new low from someone holding the highest office in the land. By virtue of his position, Ali represents us from a behavioral and moral standpoint. He is the nation’s de facto leader, whether we like it or not, and he has to fulfill the position in a befitting manner. We deserve and must accept no less!
