Dear Editor,

DEFINITELY, the opposition PPP/C has to be wishing for the nightmare and embarrassment of the Mohammed Irfaan Ali non-existent university certification scandal to go away. As a political party and former government, which always believed that the electoral numbers were always in its pocket, assuring always of perpetual victory, and which bestowed on it the divine right to rule and govern Guyana solely on its own terms, the selection of Mohammed Irfaan Ali as party presidential candidate was deliberate, as it was presumptuous, especially in light of the 19 criminal charges he currently faces in the High Court.

This was an insult, disrespectfully foisted first, on that very small section of the PPP/C senior membership, some of whom still hold to some levels of ethical and perhaps political decency, and which made its displeasure known, although in a very muted manner; and secondly on the nation at large, without regard for what would be their reaction.
But this was a deliberate plan of action that came right out from the mould of the “We run things” ideology, which patently governed the dictatorial governance structure of the PPP/C regime, and is further reflective of the attitude of its constituents that greatly contributed to heaping all sorts of venalities on this nation.

The fact of a then president and party leader, who governed on his own terms and whose penchant for actions and public outbursts, should have been challenged by the inner sanctum of the PPP/C, and by the party’s mainstream supporters, in no small way solidified Jagdeo’s belief of non-accountability for his actions to no one, except himself, and those who rubber-stamped his every action.

That the inner sanctum, and those who could have objected did not, was simply because it was a case of power at all costs, and at any price, held by a leader whose understanding of its use was best illustrated in his disdainful behaviour towards the institutions of State, stifling their constitutional functions through subtle threats. They all supported Jagdeo, since it meant having political power, from which patronage was dispensed, that benefitted them. For them, the decadence of the State, that precipitated its descent into the criminality that it became, was secondary.

Inevitably, it was out of this milieu that the traditional morality, as had been known and practised, was trampled until eventually destroyed, with an altogether new concept of this essential guide in the conduct of leaders in the affairs of every state, and those whom they governed, emerged. This would have led to the unbridled committal of brutal actions which were so glaring in their perpetration by the political power-crazed personalities of the PPP/C, that it soon became the new standard for personal conduct and integrity, as it became apparent that self–enrichment and corrupt practices were being accepted as the new order of society.

It was to be noticed that through all these signposts, the effects of which were only evident for the social degradations which had emerged, and the threat and destruction which had been caused, PPP/C supporters were silent. For this segment, it was an understanding of who held the reins of power and government, and the political advantage that it bestowed upon its holders. But such deafening silence further elevated Jagdeo in his authoritarian actions to do as he pleased, then as national leader, and even now as leader of the Opposition, without being accountable to party and supporters, and without his ever attempting to account for his stewardship.

As a result of this failure on the part of his supporters to seek answers from him on such seminal issues as his and government’s governance for 23 years, inclusive of his and Ramotar’s role in the criminal management and collapse of the once industrial giant that was GuySuCo, the PPP/C leader has simply continued to disrespect his party and supporters, now by the hand-picked insult of the Mohammed Irfaan Ali nomination.

This action on the part of Jagdeo defies all logic and conventions, destroying all known norms that govern the selection of a party candidate for the nation’s premier constitutional office. Moreover, it has to be seen as indicative of the systemic culture of closing ranks and silence, on the part of PPP/C supporters, a particularly known tradition that has caused the party to remain the political backwater that it still is; which culture is not geared towards self-criticism, for new perspectives on leadership and accountability; its approach to critical issues of personal integrity, and the importance of this to national leadership. This could only happen, by clamour and vigorous action from the party grass roots, since the fossilized old guard of an executive is trenchant on retaining the status quo. It is out of this morass, of democratic centralism and abject failure of grass root supporters to question party actions and policies that have given rise to the Mohammed Irfaan Ali eye-pass, disrespect and scandal.

Regards,
Carla Mendonca