MARISSA Nadir is the youngest political leader in Guyana today, the youngest presidential candidate in Guyana, a qualified attorney at law who came through TUF’s youth arm, the Guyana United Youth Society (GUYS).I, as the oldest (in membership) serving member of the TUF am proud to have the young patriotic youth coming out to give our young people a voice in Parliament – yes, young people of all walks of life, of all races, of all religions, especially the growing youths out there. When Marissa enters Parliament after the next elections, it would not be Marissa alone in Parliament, and all the other youths of our party, but it would be tens of thousands who for the first time will be having a say in matters concerning them.

In the past, as a young teenager, Marissa would sit at our executive meetings, she would draw the chairs away from us and listen attentively to our debates which were not only about party matters, but also matters of the nation. When her father was not too keen on having her at a particular discussion, he would tell her to ask the chairman to leave.

Marissa’s elevation to leader and presidential candidate of the TUF was done at an executive meeting when I nominated her for that post. If voters could remember well, there was a lot of commotion as to who would benefit well in the 2011 elections amidst all the challenges. Valerie Lowe had switched and immediately became a member of the AFC (Always Fooling Citizens). Lowe got into Parliament after that election.
Today, as Marissa and her party enter the 2015 elections, we have been telling our supporters that these elections are not about race versus the other as in the past “apanjat,” or the rich versus the poor; this election is about YOUTH VERSUS THE PAST. It is the first time and praise to God the young people out there will be able to hold their heads really high and proclaim title. This can only be realised by supporting a party like TUF. Our young people have, for too long, been only pawns in the political game.
I, as an elderly person with my family will be voting for Marissa and TUF on elections day, May 11 and when those are counted, I as an elderly person can say I on my own have made a contribution to the future. Youths, you too can contribute to the development of young people. This can only be done by voting for the SUN, symbol of the United Force (TUF). Marissa Nadir and company need your support, young people and those of us who would live to see youth leading our land will be proud.
Marissa is not of the bourgeois class; she, like her father was born in Albouystown (at the corners of James and Hogg Streets.) Her door is always open to anyone with problems; I know when my children had she was always there for them. I first met her as a child of eight years old when I went to see the Nadirs. At that time they were living opposite Sophia in Garnett Street. I came up on my cycle and went to the yard; she was at the pipe and I asked this child, does Mr. Nadir lives here? With that she shut the pipe and shouted ‘daddy someone is here to you’. Now here was this middle-aged black man whom this child had never seen, she did not run up the stairs in fear nor did she look at me with suspicion or question; she treated me like a human being. Today that child is the same race and gender-neutral person, a political gift to you. Young people have been offered and Guyana accepts Marissa Nadir and party. For the first time a Real Change is being offered, accept Marissa and her party, they are the new order.
No, Manzoor Nadir and her mother had nothing to do with this. It is we the members of TUF.
Let’s stand, as TUF stands with Marissa – the youth leader and the new order.
We of the TUF family stand alone, before and after elections and we will stand alone in Parliament.

MURTLAND ‘SLUGGER’ WILLIAMS