When will we rise above this destructive political culture?

Jan 21, 2026 Letters

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Dear Editor,

Guyana is in a constitutional crisis. While right-thinking Guyanese are aware of this reality and deeply troubled by what is unfolding, many remain silent, largely due to the vindictive political culture fostered by the PPP/C.

More than three months after Members of Parliament were appointed, Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr. Manzoor Nadir, has yet to fulfil his clear constitutional obligation under Article 184 of the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, which outlines the procedure for the election of the Leader of the Opposition. Compliance with this Article is neither complex nor time-consuming; it is a straightforward constitutional duty.

Despite appeals from members of the Diplomatic Community, calls from civil society, and interventions by respected constitutional voices—including former Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr. Ralph Ramkarran, who has publicly explained both the historical precedent and the constitutional process required to elect the Leader of the Opposition (Ramkarran, public commentary, 2025–2026)—the PPP/C, along with its self-proclaimed “impartial” Speaker, remains unmoved.

It is worth recalling the example of Mia Mottley in Barbados, who, despite winning all seats in her election, ensured that an Opposition Leader was appointed. She understood the principles of parliamentary democracy and the importance of constitutional checks and balances, principles that are clearly being neglected in Guyana today.

On Monday, January 19, 2026, Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh announced that Budget 2026 will be presented to the National Assembly on Monday, January 26, 2026 (Ministry of Finance public statement, January 19, 2026). Unsurprisingly, the announcement was met with limited public enthusiasm. Reports indicate that the Government failed to consult with the combined Opposition, a practice that undermines parliamentary convention and inclusive governance.

Claims that such consultations did not occur under the APNU+AFC administration are misleading. I recall clearly that then Opposition Leader Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo was invited to budget consultations but chose not to attend, nor did he send a representative; demonstrating that the opportunity for engagement did, in fact, exist. As a citizen, I am increasingly weary of the partisan, petty, and immature conduct of senior political leaders. As we approach 60 years of independence (1966–2026), one must ask: when will we rise above this destructive political culture? Is this the legacy we intend to leave for future generations? If Guyana is to become truly prosperous, where all citizens benefit equitably from national resources, this behaviour must change.

Dr. Singh recently stated that “the Guyana his government is building is filled with opportunities.” That assertion invites a critical question: who exactly is benefiting from these opportunities? A cursory examination of public procurement and contract awards raises serious concerns, particularly in light of unresolved public allegations involving senior officials, including Ms. Susan Rodrigues and Mr. Zulfikar Mustapha, with no transparent investigations or publicly disclosed findings to date.

I also noted Dr. Singh’s reference to “job opportunities.” This is particularly concerning given that the PPP/C government promised 50,000 jobs following the 2020 General and Regional Elections. Instead of sustainable, formal employment, the country has witnessed the expansion of short-term, ten-day work programmes, paying approximately $40,000, in a high cost-of-living economy increasingly dependent on oil revenues. One must ask whether Guyanese are now expected to accept precarious, underpaid work as a substitute for meaningful employment.

Editor, while no government can employ every citizen, it has a constitutional and moral responsibility to create an enabling environment that guarantees equal opportunity. Regrettably, persistent allegations of corruption and governance failures continue to erode public trust and undermine national development.

I offer the following advice to Speaker Nadir. With a sitting of the National Assembly scheduled for Monday, and with Standing Orders 10(2) and 38(9)(a), allowing for the suspension of other business to facilitate the presentation of the National Budget, the Speaker has clear procedural options:

• He may convene the meeting for the election of the Leader of the Opposition between 12:00 and 1:00 p.m., if the sitting is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.; or
• Under “Announcements” on the Order Paper, he may inform the House that the meeting for the election of the Leader of the Opposition will be held immediately following the budget presentation.

The Speaker therefore has yet another opportunity to redeem himself, uphold Article 184, and demonstrate that he is not merely executing government dictates, but is genuinely committed to the integrity of parliamentary procedure. All eyes will be on him come Monday.

I encourage all Guyanese to follow Budget 2026 closely. In doing so, they will determine whether this government is acting in the interest of ordinary citizens or whether the nation’s wealth will continue to be accumulated by a privileged few, contrary to the founding philosophy of the PPP, as articulated by the late Dr. Cheddi Jagan, who reminded the nation that “the rich can take care of themselves, but the poor must be taken care of by the government.”

May God bless our beloved nation and its people.

Yours sincerely,

Annette Ferguson

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• Annette Ferguson, Letters, Manzoor Nadir, political culture, PPPC

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