Jagdeo and Irfaan should ride off into the sunset

Mar 20, 2024 Letters

Dear Editor,

Reference your front page headline story on “Vice President Jagdeo and Corruption” (March 19) regarding UN investigation of corruption relating to the allegations made by Chinese national Mr. Su.

In a real democracy the accused Minister or officer would step down and an independent investigation would be carried out. The government is pretending like there was no allegation and simply dismissed Su’s admission that bribe was passed. Corruption has been mounting. It is just a matter of time before the country sinks below the Atlantic under the weight of corruption.

This government is deeply embroiled in corruption with one allegation after another over the last three years. Almost every government functionary has his hand in the cookie jar. And aside from corruption, President Irfaan Ali and Vice President Jagdeo have backtracked on renegotiation of the 2% royalty. For that alone, they should resign.

Mr. Jagdeo, who is the man behind his handpicked President, a la Putin and Medvedev, should do the honorable thing and resign. Mr. Jagdeo served as President for over twelve years. He had his way but refused to gracefully bow out of politics. At first, he handpicked Donald Ramotar as Presidential candidate in 2011 hoping to be the President behind his successor. However, after his election, Ramotar, wanting to be his own man, rebuffed Jagdeo, resulting in animosity between the two till this day.

In any country, when the President finished his term, he retired. Not Jagdeo who wishes to continue his autocratic dominance in the society ever since he retired in 2011. It is either his way or no other way. He has a solution for every problem from medical to science to economics to social and to everything else. Mr Irfaan Ali, handpicked for the Presidency by Jagdeo over more able aspirants, like Anil Nandlall and Frank Anthony, has been quiet while his boss runs amok with irrational decisions and policies. Either man would have been a better and more noble President. Irfaan and Jagdeo have failed the country with allegations after allegations and should do the honourable thing.

Mr. Jagdeo and his handpicked successor Mr. Irfaan should save Guyana from all the embarrassment the country has been undergoing in the international press by resigning pronto and go into hibernation till God’s calling. Ride off into the sunset!

Yours truly,

Edward Burrowes

Democracy, Edward Burrowes, Independent, investigation, Vice President Jagdeo and Corruption

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