The Observer
Today Guyana has surpassed the expectations of many in terms of development; both physical and social. The country is free. These are things the PNC with Corbin in its hierarchy could not deliver despite billions, if not trillions, of dollars being at their disposal. As a matter of fact, the country went bankrupt under the suppressive regime.

What happened to the tax payers’ money paid for the barge? Why was the Security Forces used to help rig the elections during those twenty-eight years? Why are leading members of the PNCR accusing the Leadership of the Party of skulduggery in internal elections? These are just a few examples of what the media should be asking Corbin. The hypocrisy will be mind-boggling.
IN a previous article I alluded to the support the Alliance for Change (AFC) is giving to the PNCR.

This support has led to a unison of the two Parties which is evident in their joint protests and frequent joint media conferences.

The AFC, by its public actions and pronouncements, has become an integral part of the PNCR’s current political operations; operations which are aimed at bringing the administration into disrepute.

Much has been said about this and its blatant selectiveness and hypocrisy. I want to continue with the hypocrisy theme.

Recently, the Private Sector Commission (PSC) held its annual dinner at which President Jagdeo delivered the feature address.

Leader of the PNCR, Robert Corbin and his charming wife, were also invited. This was confirmed by Mr. Corbin during an interview with a media operative. Corbin was being asked why he boycotted the dinner.

His reply provided some interesting revelations. According to him, he acknowledged the important role the PSC has played in Guyana’s development and noted that his Party has utilised other opportunities to update the Commission on issues of importance.

He, Corbin, revealed that he would not accept the invitation to the dinner because as he pointed out, “…I find it rather insensitive for you to invite my wife and I to sit at your dinner to be pontificated upon by President Jagdeo”.
Not a subtle excuse by any standard. This was a brash rejection of an invitation by an organisation which Corbin lauded in the said interview!

His excuse should further be examined on various fronts. The PNCR just concluded its Congress which saw the re-election of Corbin as Leader of the Party. Allegations of fraud abounded prior and subsequent to the elections.

Many Party stalwarts have not been subtle in their castigation of the electoral process that led to Corbin’s re-election. This kind of allegation is not new and has dominated successive Congresses following the death of Former President, Desmond Hoyte. Given these allegations by prominent members of the Party and by extension society, Corbin’s legitimacy as Party Leader is shrouded in controversy.

The cries of those who claim to have witnessed such irregularities have seemingly fallen on deaf ears; deaf ears in the Leadership of the PNCR and the AFC.

Corbin’s snubbing of the PSC dinner was, as he so pontificated in the interview mentioned, was not to give the impression that all is well in Guyana.

In other words, his presence, as he strongly implied, would have given credence to what the Head of State would have delivered in his address.

Having launched numerous poorly attended protests following the trial of Robert Simels in New York, Corbin felt that he should not be in the same company of the country’s Leader in an effort to avoid being accused of hypocrisy. Herein lies my confusion.

To address this, a few decisions taken by the PNC when they (mis)ruled during their term in Office, must be re-examined. I am aware that any mention of the state of affairs prior to 1992 evokes disdain from some. Well, sad to say, tough luck. That is part of our history and some loyal to the Opposition would wish that those dark days are not revisited.

The reason they would so vociferously pontificate is that they know that any such examination of that period would reveal the horrific mismanagement of this country. When compared to the Opposition’s demands today, not only would their hypocrisy be blatant, but their attempts to tarnish the administration will be confirmed as mere nit-picking.

Corbin, as Deputy Prime Minister under the PNC, bought a power barge with millions of tax payers’ dollars in an effort to ease the electricity woes that plagued the country. The barge never worked! The millions were wasted!

Here is the same Corbin, despite being cognisant of the numerous developments that have permeated this country over the last seventeen years including the electricity sector, accusing this administration of mismanagement.

Here is the same Corbin, who was a prominent member of the regime when the Armed Forces hijacked ballot boxes and intimidated the populace, today accusing the administration of giving political direction to the Police. Commissioner Henry Greene promptly debunked Corbin’s statement in this regard.

The PNC administration sold many of this country’s assets including large companies. Many, if not all, of these transactions were found to be unfavourable to the nation. Much needed financial resources did not materialise as a result of these sales despite the Party’s rhetoric.

Here is Corbin and his Party’s predecessor in Opposition accusing this government of mismanagement. These are only a few of the numerous cases of hypocrisy.

Today Guyana has surpassed the expectations of many in terms of development; both physical and social. The country is free. These are things the PNC with Corbin in its hierarchy could not deliver despite billions, if not trillions, of dollars being at their disposal.

As a matter of fact, the country went bankrupt under the suppressive regime.

What happened to the tax payers’ money paid for the barge? Why was the Security Forces used to help rig the elections during those twenty-eight years? Why are leading members of the PNCR accusing the Leadership of the Party of skulduggery in internal elections?

These are just a few examples of what the media should be asking Corbin. The hypocrisy will be mind-boggling. This brings me to what I touched on previously with regards to hypocrisy in the AFC.

As Corbin pontificated in the interview pertaining to the PSC dinner, his presence would have given credence to what the Head of State would have delivered in his address. Simply put, association gives legitimacy.

If what Corbin is saying is true with regards to association and legitimacy, then by his own admission, his partners, the AFC, are hypocrites.

The AFC has become an associate of the PNCR over time. The AFC has not questioned the PNCR about the accusations of electoral fraud levelled against it.

The AFC has defended its partnership with the PNCR. Therefore, it would not be wrong to conclude that the AFC, by being associated with the PNCR, has given legitimacy to the leadership of the Party despite the accusations.

It would not be wrong to conclude that the AFC has condoned the electoral malpractices the PNCR leadership is being accused of. This is by Corbin’s logic; by his own pontification.

Why is the AFC not questioning and condemning the PNCR with regards to these accusations? Why is the AFC supporting a Party that is accused of electoral fraud? These are some of the questions the media must ask the AFC. This is what Corbin and his protégé, the AFC must pontificate on, lest the hypocrisy reaches Frankenstein proportions if it hasn’t already.