IF one wants to get biblically philosophical, let the old adage of a ‘house divided against itself cannot stand’ be the new watch phrase for all Guyanese. Jesus used this metaphor to answer his critics, when he was accused of being of Satan’s kingdom.

Remember that Jesus was casting out demons, when this accusation was hurled at him. So what Guyanese are now confronted with, as a possible alternative for their future, is not the ‘PNC Reform,’ but the ‘PNC Divided.’

First, ancient and recent in-fighting seems to have created an inflexible, fractious culture within the party. One remembers the extended enmity that characterised the Hoyte regime.

The late, Hugh Desmond Hoyte could not extricate from ‘his bonnet’, the bee-like buzz and stings of Mr. Hamilton Green.

So hostile was their standoff, that Hoyte ejected the impish Green. One can only surmise that even Hoyte himself needed some political/diplomatic immunity and legal protection from this callous creature. After all, (and since one should still do the investigation) Green’s name was associated with the killing of Vincent Teekah, the broad daylight pillaging of businesses, and the actual beatings of many workers who threatened civil disobedience against the then Burnham-led PNC.

Now if there exists such a chasm between these two leaders, then questions logically follow. Why was David Granger sidelined during the meet with the Norwegian Environment Minister? Was it incompetence or jealousy?

Is Mr. Corbin beginning to undermine the credibility of the party’s presidential candidate? And if these two ‘gentlemen ’ are so solipsistic, then one sees a manifestation of their selfish egos.

Yet again, and quite sobering, is, where is the purported democracy that the PNCR is supposed to be a champion of, and  which it is accusing the PPP of not practising? Since David Granger is the elected presidential candidate, where is the respect, integrity and humility of Robert Corbin?

Please bring to mind the confusion and accusations that emanated from their last congress. It was rife with ‘seeming internal riggings.’

A second issue at stake in this ‘now to be deemed’ rift is that of the actual ability of David Granger.

A leader must, and I repeat ‘must’ ad infinitum, take the mantle of leadership. Some men are simply born to lead; others are given the role; yet there are those who grow in leadership. One can see here that none of these fits the description of pitiful David Granger. His coyness seems a façade for his ineptitude.

Or maybe it is a case of the ominous and bullish spectre of Robert Corbin being too intimidating. Whatever the factors at work, David Granger is simply unsuited for any kind of leadership role.

He seems good at carrying out orders, like when he was a puppet for Linden Forbes Burnham during the ‘rigged elections’ era, predating the 1992 period in Guyana’s history. So to lead Guyana, David Granger is ‘trying to catch a falling star.’

A final factor at work here is that of the paucity of actual leadership skills on show. Since it seems that there is little internal dialogue among the PNCR members and leadership, one wonders what this augurs for the Guyanese people.

Even a cursory reflection at the recent meet with Norway’s Minister, Mr. Eric Solheim, will reveal the present state of affairs within the PNCR. If in the incipient stages of its campaign, there seems to be a noticeable impasse among the leadership, then imagine how foreboding this is for the Guyanese populace.

Should one then not warn the public of imminent problems, should PNCR take leadership of this developing country? If one cannot ‘fix his own house’ how can he actually lead a nation?
So the prudent advice, even for the staunchest of PNCR’s supporters, is to take note and act appropriately.

The PNCR is a self-destructing, dying breed. Oblivion seems destined for it. So too will be their foolish adherents. Also one must bear in mind that when a man changes position after he comes to self awareness, there is no shame in that. Just look at the present composition of the PPP, and be encouraged. After all, it is the national cause which is of paramount importance.