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However, something must be said about leaders and leadership, especially of political parties. Since politics is about the science of government, and with all the dynamics that such an important calling is so defined – one assumes that those personalities who vie for positions of leadership within their respective parties for different reasons, do so because they have a vision that speaks of a contribution to their country, for the benefit of their fellow citizens.
But alas, such a perception is often ascribed to the wrong political collective, as in the case of David Granger, Carl Greenidge, and to a lesser extent, Dr. Rupert Roopnarine – all senior chieftains of this thing with the unusual sounding acronym of APNU.
Granger, particularly, has been a huge disappointment, a let-down, for the numerous persons who had expected him to bring a new enlightenment to the political leadership of Opposition politics in Guyana. Of course, much has been said of his well known academic background, as being a perfect platform for wisdom-filled leadership. But such has remained a mere hope, a mere figment of the imagination, a mirage! For what one has experienced from this senior political leader is a performance that clearly does not understand, that most basic but crucial component of every State’s well being – its national interest.
And here, one must recourse to two perfect examples of what must be described as a desultory parliamentary record.
Beginning with leading his APNU coalition on the baseless parliamentary no-confidence motion, against the Minister of Home Affairs, one, which was overturned by way of judicial decision, and which Granger still refuses to acknowledge because of his continued senseless stance of refusing to recognise the minister’s jurisdiction. This can only be labelled as an instance of clear vindictive behaviour, and spiteful politics originating from one who wants to become President of this nation! How can this political party leader, a vehement critic of the nation’s security strategies throughout the years, refuse to support an innovative programme of comprehensive measures designed to overhaul the functions of the Guyana Police Force, thus making it modern and more professional?
And such refusal of support is because of the minister who is responsible for the execution of the initiatives. What stupidity! What childishness, for want of a better description! Granger ought to take example from the recently announced cooperation between the Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister and the Leader of the twin-island Opposition party, on confronting the very serious crime threat in that CARICOM-island State. Like almost every Opposition leader, Dr. Keith Rowley has differences with Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and her government; but, he understands the meaning of supporting all measures for protecting Trinidadians against the criminal assault.
Granger and his coalition Opposition party’s parliamentary refusal to give support to the most important socio-economic transformation initiative in the history of this nation, the Amaila Falls Hydro Project, is another significant representation of his failings in understanding what is required of national political leadership. It is because of such non-support that the project is currently stalled. How visionless can any such leader be, by not supporting an initiative that would bring about a sea-change in
the lives of all citizens, thereby ushering in a better life for all?
No! No! No! This is not leadership as displayed by Granger, aided by his lieutenants. Instead, call it a great opportunity squandered to contribute to the development process, hence prosperity of the nation. Maybe his training as a career military man, with its absolutist doctrines, has rendered him unable to rise to the level demanded of a people’s leader, and one who understands what the imperatives of national development is all about.
Sad to say, such is the leadership scorecard of David Granger. The results are clear, since assuming the mantle of Opposition Leader.
