IT is very unfortunate when the person of a former Head of State/Government has to be the object of continuous personal attacks by the media, particularly when those assaults are without cause or merit.  Not only is this disrespectful and even libellous; but it is also teaching our younger generation of Guyanese to be slanderous to our national leaders, especially those who would have served this nation and its people without fail.
After viewing the usual sensational pictorials that illustrated the home of former President Jagdeo, and realising  the motive behind such a display, the first conclusion was that  the particular publisher was at great mischief, attempting  to create  in the minds of the readership the false impression of a home that either was too grand for a retired president, or one which he did not acquire legally. In fact, this has been the story that ever since Sunday night’s debate, Nigel Hughes and company have been slanderously peddling. Of course, lest we forget, KN  has for a long while been the official media mouthpiece of the political opposition.
Is the nation to understand that the former president does not have the right of choice as to the type of home he must have? And is one to understand that because of the size of the home, as shown via the pix, that one has the right to speculate as to means of acquisition?
Sure enough, Mr. Jagdeo had been earning a salary, as all those prior presidents were, during his 12 years in office, and would have certainly made honest provision for such a project. Like every other Guyanese who would have paid for his/her house lot – he purchased his; and even if he had been granted any concession, such is absolutely understandable, and  would have been no more nor less than would have been granted to such a category in general. Simply stated – it comes with the turf.
Here is a young man who came to the nation’s highest office, and worked only in the interests of the nation, serving in a time of great peril. During such a period, one never witnessed him, in the indulgence of ostentatious living and wealth. He lived very simply, devoting his time and energies to the service of the nation and his people. And so, for this publication, through its dark politicos, to insinuate that the former president used his office to acquire assets is not only unfair, but libellous and scurrilous.  A former leader owning a house of whatever size does not mean that he used his office to acquire the means of construction/purchase. If this is not a malicious accusation , then it is evil and wicked!
Former presidents and prime ministers do not live in sub-standard dwellings or shanties, as KN seems to  want to suggest. Because of their former office, that would have entailed such an expansive reach and interaction  on the international stage,  they would as a result  still be receiving  important persons, even after retirement. Thus it is only logical that any former president, inclusive of Mr. Jagdeo, live in dignity and comfort, as befitting such a former office holder.
And this prominent AFC leader, who idolises a former president, must be reminded that his hero had expropriated many holdings without the permission of its rightful owners? And what about a former occupant of State House who, on his departure, took out, according to reports, almost every available artifact from this historical residence.