Moses is the best choice for Prime Minister

Apr 14, 2015 Letters

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DEAR EDITOR,
May 11, 2015 may be one of the most decisive dates in the history of Guyana. It may mark the day that Guyanese voters choose to unite after decades of division.  That is the hope that most of us share.
Since before Guyana’s Independence from Great Britain in 1966, the two main races in this country have become polarized, and have remained divided, unable to work together to find solutions to improve the lives of ordinary Guyanese.  As a result of this division, Guyana has had the “honour” of being the second poorest country in the Caribbean, and it also holds the record of having as many of its citizens living out of the country as those living in the country.
The statistics point out that Guyana is a poor country; however anyone travelling in some parts of Georgetown would find it very hard to believe that.  The many mansions that are owned by the political elite would give the impression that the country has a booming economy.
Those mansions, however, are only affordable to those in, or close to, those in the ruling party. Even some of the most successful business leaders in Guyana cannot afford the types of mansions owned by members of the ruling party. However, that points to yet another set of issues facing the country.  For now, we have the more pressing and immediate question of unity.  Without unity, we will not be able to address the other problems we face.
So the main question we have at the moment is whether on May 11, voters will be able to find the strength and courage to cast their ballots, not on the basis of race as most have done in the past, but on the hopes for a country where all races can begin to feel comfortable working together for a better nation.
The APNU/AFC coalition has been an important first step in this process. The fact that Moses Nagamootoo and the AFC have decided to unite with David Granger and Rupert Roopnarine and their platform, should give high hopes to all Guyanese. This should restore the faith that Guyanese have lost in our political leaders.
This brave decision to unite shows that at last we have leaders who have the interests of the country at heart; and it should give electors the strength and courage to vote for something more than race.  If they do, then this could very well be history in the making.
The two main races have been divided for more than half of a century, and it is perfectly understandable that many will be fearful of what it means for an APNU/AFC victory.  Those who have supported the PPP for all of their lives, must now be wondering what will happen if that party should lose this upcoming election. Will Guyanese of East Indian origin be victimized or marginalized by an APNU/AFC government?  Will there be a takeover of the Government by Guyanese of African origin?  Those are some of the questions I suspect might be in the minds of many.  To those who may be fearful of an APNU/AFC victory, I ask you to take a close look at the track record of one man – Moses Nagamootoo.
I have known Moses for a very long time.  I campaigned against him during my time with the United Republican Party back in the ’80-‘90s.  But even though we were on opposing teams, I have always respected this about him – he stood up for his beliefs.  He stood tall when the PPP was in opposition for decades.  He stuck with them and he never gave up.
When the PPP strayed from what he had fought for, he attempted to fight to bring his party back to its core values.  He gave up that fight only when it was clear that his party had been taken over by men whose financial goals superseded their will to what is right for Guyana.
Moses could have done what many of his former party colleagues did…he could have remained quiet and toed the line while he enriched himself. But that is not the Moses I know. His is not an ambition to use the Government of this poor country to get rich. He believes in working for a better future for all Guyanese, and not only for himself. He proved this when he left the PPP.
This resolve that Moses demonstrated throughout his life in Guyana’s politics gives me lots of confidence that he is one of the best choices for Prime Minister in this new coalition.  We saw him standing up for his beliefs in the past, and we expect that he will continue to do the same as Prime Minister. This will definitely not be a Sam Hinds-type of Prime Minister – not from Moses I assure you.  This will be a Prime Minister who will continue to fight for what he believes is right.  Moses did not sit quietly in the PPP, and he will not suddenly sit quietly in the APNU/AFC coalition.
So, for all of those who have doubt that the APNU/AFC coalition will be able to unite Guyana and ensure that all Guyanese have equal opportunities regardless of race, religion or gender, I ask you to trust in Moses.  Like his namesake did in biblical times, I have faith that he will lead this nation to the Promised Land.
APNU and the AFC came together so that they may unite this country for a better tomorrow.  Let us join them and support this great cause for the sake of this and future generations.   All we are asking is on Election Day give unity a chance.
Max Mohamed

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