NOW that the voting populace of Guyana has spoken they would undoubtedly wish to see a return to normalcy in our country; so that the continuous and accelerated development to which we of the PPP/C committed in our 2011 Election Manifesto and to which decent, progressive, forward looking Guyanese eagerly look forward, can begin to be realised. They look forward to a bright future and, towards this end, the early removal and dissipation of encumbrances including outlaw-type behaviour that would only stall development.
President Donald Ramotar has already reached out to the Leaders of the Opposition political parties, as we seek to charter the way forward for our country. This is an approach which is centred not on satisfying the wishes and interests of a few with personal agendas; but on the interests, wishes and expectations of the Guyanese people. In so doing, President Ramotar- simple, humble, disciplined and committed leader that he is, has demonstrated the maturity, the discipline and the selflessness that is required at this time.
In the process also, our president has sought to avoid the political machinations of those in the Opposition political parties while concomitantly confronting attempts at political bullying by those Opposition elements who have conjured up the idea that Guyana belongs to them only, to do as they wish. So that, even as we work diligently to effect a spirit of compromise, we cannot allow the progress we have made over the past nineteen years to come to a standstill. We must uphold and defend our democratic gains at all cost.
The APNU supporters’ behaviour can only be explained by the fact that its major partner, the PNCR, has never won a free and fair election in this country, and has always resorted since 1992 to distractions such as street protests and superficial claims of being “robbed at the polls” to explain their defeat to their supporters. This, notwithstanding all the electoral systems and procedures that are rigidly followed by Gecom staff, and the available checks and balances with which staff and even commissioners recommended by the Opposition PNCR are familiar and do follow.
The APNU is not the only political party that contested the 2011 General and Regional Elections. Furthermore, let it be known that besides the 139,678 who voted APNU; there are 202,558 who voted for other political parties including the PPP/C. I have not read or heard that these latter electors gave the APNU a mandate to take to the streets to represent them.
To my fellow Guyanese, especially PPP/C supporters, I say that we must see the political events that are presently unfolding in the metropolis of our country as part of the evolution of our democracy; as a new political dispensation; a new landscape. Our failure to obtain a majority in the parliament does not mean that the system comes crashing down around us. The government must be allowed or else must find ways to deliver to the Guyanese people normal and essential services and not be frustrated by an Opposition bent only on frustrating its efforts.
We have legislated and we have always practised “inclusionary democracy’ at the level of the Boards, the Commissions, the Parliament, the Communities, and indeed, our President Donald Ramotar and his Cabinet of Ministers have taken to the communities to engage the Guyanese people as we begin to discuss with them in more detail the many programmes for their development. I salute this approach even as I join with thousands of decent, honest Guyanese in condemning the dishonesty of the APNU leadership who, as part of an outlandish scheme, hoodwinked many of their supporters into believing that they had singularly won a majority of the votes, and when in fact, the very Statement of Polls, the Party’s Presidential candidate publicly proclaimed he would accept would have provided information to the contrary.
These SOPs are not only signed by the Presiding Officers at the Polling stations after the count of the votes in the presence of Party Counting Agents, including APNU Agents, but would have been signed by these very Agents authenticating the results of the Polls for each Polling Station. It would be an indictment on the numeracy skills of its Agents and/or the integrity of the GECOM staff and the Elections Commissioners; three of whom would have been approved of and submitted by the PNCR, the largest of the Opposition party, to thereafter question the credibility of the very GECOM staff and, by extension, the very Commissioners, with regard to the results that that body declared.
Meanwhile, I wish to call into question the right of APNU protesters to obstruct the free movement of Guyanese people, to hinder workers proceeding to and from work, to impede the normal flow of business; in the process affecting the volume of business and the earnings of many; moreso at the time of this festive season and to disturb the quietude of the city by their boisterous and often illegal marches, chants, threatening behaviour. By what authority do they do these things, this is unforgiveable lawlessness sheltering under the umbrella of peaceful and lawful protests and begs the question: what is meant by peaceful, lawful.
We uphold your right to peaceful protest but within the realms and confines of the laws of this country.
I say to the APNU leadership and supporters: you have lost the elections; I challenge you to be a constructive Opposition. In the process, you can help to bring about the changes and the improved governance you belabour and harangue about. Constructive dialogue we call it. 
The newly elected government must be given a chance to work. President Donald Ramotar has held out a hand of friendship and has offered to work with you, not on the streets, but in the parliament, in the Communities. President Ramotar wants to do things differently. Decent, honest, law-abiding Guyanese and they number several hundred thousands are watching you.
Peace be unto you.