Latest update November 26th, 2024 1:00 AM
Buxtonians defiant at PPP/C public meeting
Scores of persons turned up at the Buxton Railway Embankment last evening when the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) held its first public meeting of the campaign there, but the majority of those attending vociferously displayed their support for an opposition party, A Partnership for National Unity.
Among those making presentations for the ruling party last evening were Buxtonians Odinga Lumumba and Lennox Wood (Mboyo), Cabinet member and Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee, Former Peoples National Congress Executive Member Joseph Hamilton, Gail Teixeira, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and Presidential Candidate Donald Ramotar.
PPP/C Presidential Candidate Donald Ramotar addressing the gathering at Buxton
The meeting got underway at about 18:30hrs with Lumumba seeking to enthuse the crowd, but from the inception, despite there being evident support for the PPP/C, persons purportedly backing APNU, soon announced their presence in emphatic fashion
Lumumba told those gathered that the event marked a history-making achievement, when the PPP/C decided to return to Buxton which was once a stronghold for the party. He said that Buxtonians must “look past the past” and join in the challenge of further progress for the country.
Lumumba conceded, as he introduced Hamilton to the podium, that he cannot instruct the Buxtonians who to vote for come November 28, but advised that they should at least listen to the message.
This was a sentiment echoed by Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, who was heckled continuously during his presentation.
When Hamilton took to the stage, he emphatically stated that “the PPP/C is the only option for the country to progress”. He said that he has heard those that preach that the PPP/C “cannot enter Buxton” but he promised that even after Election Day, they (PPP/C) will remain in the once troubled village.
Hamilton urged that persons remember and return to the spirit of 1953 when all Guyana voted united regardless of class, creed or colour.“Vote not for race, but for programmes and policies,” he urged.
But his passionate pleas appeared to fall on deaf ears, as at the time he was making his presentation, persons in the gathering were openly demonstrating their support for APNU Presidential Candidate David Granger.
Hamilton chided PNCR leader Robert Corbin as being responsible for the party’s “death” suggesting to the Buxtonians that they have no obligations to that party.
As has become customary at the PPP/C meetings or rallies, campaign paraphernalia was shared out with some persons opting to wear the T-Shirts in support of Donald Ramotar.
Soon dozens of posters bearing the image of David Granger appeared, and it was a literal face-off as police kept the APNU group at bay as the PPP/C supporters waved their flags and donned their election garb.
APNU supporters at the PPP/C public meeting last evening
Hamilton urged that Guyanese should look to the past and learn its lessons and join with him and others to support the PPP/C.
Home Affairs Minister Rohee had his task cut out for him to get across his message and at one point in time had to cleverly resort to the use of the party jingle in an attempt to distract the hecklers.
Other speakers for the night, PM Hinds and Presidential Candidate Ramotar shared the same experience as they had battled with the gathering to have their messages heard.
APNU has the first of its rallies scheduled for this weekend in Buxton.
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