Stamp out ruthless politics – APNU+AFC

May 16, 2015 News

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“Change will be meaningless if we allow ourselves to accept the things we repulsed and condemned,”- Sharma Solomon
The news that the A Partnership for National Unity plus Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) emerging victorious at the 2015 General and Regional Election, has attracted much celebration countrywide.

But even as this takes place, the incoming government has said that it is important to remember that this historic change will mean nothing “if we have not learnt from the past, and if we refuse to avoid the missteps of those who preceded us and those whom we seek to replace.”
The APNU + AFC said that for too long, the development of the nation has been stifled by “executive lawlessness, nepotism, cronyism, friendism, familyism, discrimination, incompetence, non-performance, poor performance and corruption.”
Specifically, the APNU+AFC’s Region Ten Campaign led by Chairman Sharma Solomon, said that these “ugly features” that have come to characterize the country’s  politics and governance, must now be “ruthlessly stamped out and put behind us.”
Solomon said that change would be meaningless if “we adopt the attitude of the predecessors towards others, the very attitude that we ourselves despised when such was meted out to us. Change will be meaningless if we campaigned on commitments and refuse to honour them, or have the people understand why these cannot be honoured. Change will be meaningless if we allow ourselves to accept the things we repulsed and condemned.”
He added, “Change must mean safeguarding, protecting and advancing the interests of opportunity to serve needs, to recognize that this means service to the people the collective. Change must mean restoration of good governance. Public service is a privilege not a right.”
According to the data provided by the Guyana Election Commission (GECOM) for the final preliminary results, the APNU+AFC have defeated the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) by some 5000 votes.
While the PPP/C is struggling to accept the reality that it has fallen from power after 23 years in office, the APNU+AFC has been busy thanking its supporters who broke out in early celebration after hearing the good news on Thursday.
Solomon thanked and congratulated all those who worked on the party campaign, in whatever form.  He urged that while the celebrations commence, it is now time for everyone to get their minds in gear for another phase of hard work.
He reminded that the results of the election are that the citizens of Region Ten have resoundingly reposed confidence in the APNU+AFC, by giving 16,787 of their votes to the movement of change as opposed to 2,780 for the PPP/C.
“We have increased on the votes received in 2011. There was measured reduction in votes received by the PPP. Others have also voted for the small parties,” Solomon said.
He said, too, that these numbers are saying that the people have expressed their will in the political group they think can best advance and protect their interests.
The Region Ten Chairman emphasized that the victory for the APNU+AFC is a triumph for all Guyanese. He said however, that the 2015 election result also shows how necessary it is for all to work together and across the aisle in spite of political differences.
“We may disagree at times, we can do so in an atmosphere of cordiality,” Solomon said.
“We, as a people, must be able from today and henceforth, to deepen and strengthen the creed of One People, One Nation, One Destiny. Together we must make real the desire for national unity, inclusionary democracy and accountability, the elevation of our politics to that of performance-driven, respecting the people and the laws of the land.”
“The result of the May 11 election is an opportunity to respect our diversity, and demonstrate our togetherness for the principle of rising above partisanship… We must remain unyielding in our quest for peace and justice, and courageous in our efforts to make real the principles upon which this great country is built.”
The Region Ten Chairman also expressed that all will now be able to enjoy the right of being treated as a first class citizen, the right of association with any organization of choice and the right, to ensure the 2012 Agreement with Central Government is honoured.
He reiterated that all must work together for a better country.  “The strong must carry the weak and nothing must stop us now. The change we worked for has come. We must continue the fight to make this change work for our collective good.”
Solomon emphasized that a government works best when it is kept honest and accountable to the people and said that the citizenry is being counted on to make this possible.
He said that this does not only mean being associated with a political party and/or being part of the government structure; but this can also be ensured through involvement in non-governmental organizations.

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