Opposition at risk

Mar 16, 2025 Features / Columnists, The GHK Lall Column

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Hard Truths…

By GHK Lall

Kaieteur News- If the two major opposition parties in Guyana wish to be taken seriously, they must get their act together.  They would be wiser still to put their heads together and quickly finalize contesting this year’s elections contest as one group.  Or, they should go their separate ways.  The least that both the PNC and AFC could do is put themselves and their followers out of their misery.  What I see as them walking a tightrope of careful discussions, is really more of the two parties wrapping a rope around their own necks.  They don’t look too good.  If anyone who could deal with reality were to ask me, I would say that both the PNC and AFC are beginning to look blue in the face.  There is a shortage of oxygen somewhere.

First, some election facts should be put to rest.  Neither the PNC nor the AFC has the votes on its own to trounce the PPP, even as voter challenged as the latter finds itself today.  Thus, it is baffling all this hubbub about to coalesce or not to coalesce.  The hard truth is that they coalesce, or they kiss their respective elections prospects goodbye.  Starting as early as yesterday.  So, all this back and forth, approaching the middle of March about who should get what, and how to divvy up the spoils, is nothing but an exercise in futility.  The Guyanese people deserve better.  If they can’t make up their minds on a matter as basic as this (tie the knot, or turn their backs from the altar), then what can they make up their minds about relative to the burning issues that scorch Guyana?

In some respects, the two opposition parties continue along this merry road of their making, and they risk going from juk ah yaak to the Dukes of National Jesters.  For the colloquially impaired, juk ah yaak is what took up residence here, and which before that went by the lordly handle of Duke of York.  Frankly, with all the cards on the line, I have never seen two seasoned groups and their supporting casts be so wracked by paralysis and indecision.  While they look shabby and more than a little unready, the Duke of Robb Street and Freedom House’s Manor, the PPP General Secretary is given every incentive to snatch victory out of the jaws of defeat.  Unless, the PNC and AFC have some extraordinary elections elixir unknown to the rest of Guyana.  The last time that I encountered this kind of sloth and slackness, was when British Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain went to Munich; and Nero fiddled untroubled   All Guyanese, whether they know the two names or not, should still do their research to get an idea of what became of them.

This is what the PNC and AFC stares at.  Taking forever and then an extra mile (yes, I mixed up that one), only to end looking like complete zombies.  Since these are the seasons of prayer and self-sacrifice, I take that back.  How about shells and salesmen?  I know: some are going to ask how clever can one get, for what’s the difference between those two (shells and salesmen) and zombies?  In all of this, there is one consideration that has its merits.  The PNC, with an able assist from the AFC, has some secret asset handy.  The numbers aren’t favorable, so I scratch my head as to what it is.  If it isn’t a slice of the Venezuelan vote, then I surrender.  Maybe the PNC has already made up its mind.  The elections of 2025 are so rigged against it, that there is only one avenue left as a resort.

It tried for some traction at GECOM, could point to those efforts, and where they led: a town called Nowhere.  The strangest case of all is to hear Opposition Leader, Mr. Aubrey Norton, overflowing with confidence in public about dethroning the PPP Government.  Wishful thinking, or wisdom of a kind unknown in Guyana?  I wonder if Mr. Norton’s record of public confidence about this year’s elections holds just as well in Congress Place.  Though I don’t have much stomach for it, I foresee that the Americans will once again be called upon to perform its familiar role of justice of the peace.  Even in this area, I believe that the PPP has a head start on the PNC and AFC.  The ruling party has been overeager in courting the new American Chief Executive, all but licking his boots.  The White House occupant relishes that kind of homage.  It is to the disadvantage of the PNC.  He who has the king’s ear, he is the one who need not fear, the one that carries the day.

So, this is where the political wrestling stands today.  The opportunity for five years of self-help and getting richer than the PPP, and the PNC and AFC are head-over-heels counting sheep.  When anyone sees any opposition energy, give a call.  Ditto its efforts to snare some crossover votes.  It has been the strangest kind of elections this one.  All the balls in the air, and no takers on the opposition side.  Perhaps, that explains its current eunuchoid state.

(Opposition at risk)

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

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• AFC, Guyanese people, hard truths, PNC, PPP

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