Opposition appears divided on no-confidence motion – Rohee

Sep 26, 2014 News

---

By Abena Rockcliffe
General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Clement Rohee, is of the opinion that the Parliamentary

Opposition—A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Alliance For Change (AFC)—is divided on matters relating to the impending No-confidence Motion. As such, the politician is optimistic that the actions of the opposition have put the incumbent Party in a better position to contest elections, be it General or Local Government.
Rohee told this to the media at the PPP’s most recent press conference held at Freedom House on Tuesday last.
In response to questions on the Party’s plan for the way forward with regards to the No-Confidence Motion brought against the PPP administration, Rohee expressed “That’s a question that should be directed to the Opposition which seems to be divided on the matter”.
He went further to say that there seems to be “very deep division” in the Opposition, but “unfortunately” he does not see such stories being covered by popular media houses across Guyana.
Rohee went on to insinuate that some media houses are protecting the opposition “but what I would like to say is this; it appears as though the opposition is divided, as one seems to be going to the East and one to the West.”
With that, Rohee cited the popular song by the late Bob Marley—War—and said that he is waiting anxiously to “to see how they (the Opposition) will end up.”
“Ramjattan claims that 90 million pieces of silver was shared out among three MPs (Members of Parliament) and then when pushed against the wall to say if it is AFC MPs, Ramjattan said it was APNU MPs, but he didn’t name them. Now I would have thought that since he and Mr. Granger are such close buddies he would have called Mr. Granger or walked across to Hadfield Street and told Mr. Granger, look I have this information on three of your MPs.”
Tickled by the issue to the extent that he laughed almost uncontrollably, Rohee said that the Opposition saga on the No-Confidence motion is as entertaining as ever and can be compared to the “afternoon soaps, the Young and the Restless and the Bold and Brave (the original soap is The Bold and the Beautiful). It is interesting to see what is unfolding here;

I would have gone and shown Mr. Granger who were the three persons. But here it goes again. Rather than these gentlemen talk or write letters, they all communicating through public disclosures; through the media.
Rohee told media operatives that he often wonders how close the opposition parties are and if they are indeed working for the same cause, because it seems to him as if the AFC and APNU are “on a collision course.”
He said that “that puts the PPP in a very advantageous position; we just sit back and watch these two sort their business out, then we will walk away with the prize.”
The Combined Opposition, which gained a one-seat majority over the PPP government that has been in power for the past 22 years, has expressed repeated disappointment in the administration, whom they claim has been involved in financial impropriety and failed to adhere to decisions of the House of Parliament among other things.
The AFC had indicated its move to the no-confidence motion against the PPP government, since all of the changes that it bargained for in the development of the country have not been given an ear by the administration. The Finance Minister’s “violation of the law” by spending $4.5B of monies not approved by the National Assembly in the 2014 budget, among other issues, also fuelled the No-Confidence motion.
The AFC, in early August, made good on its promise to file the no-Confidence Motion. This Motion is set to be debated upon as soon as the National Assembly reconvenes in October and if approved, will force Head of State, President Donald Ramotar to call fresh General Elections within three months (90 days).
But even though APNU agreed to support AFC on this No-Confidence bid, the coalition recently called on President Donald Ramotar to speedily set a date for the holding of Local Government Elections.
The AFC had initially found it “strange” that APNU would make such a call at this time since General Elections would most

likely be soon. But the Party recently said, “It is okay to want both Local government and General Elections.”
APNU Leader David Granger, in response to AFC Leader, Khemraj Ramjattan’s’ allegation of bribery said that no member of APNU was not and will not be a part of any action that can jeopardize the No-Confidence Motion.
“There would be no front door, backdoor, side door or bath window talk about this issue,” Granger stressed.

---

---