PRESIDENT Granger has not been the beneficiary of what is known as the traditional honeymoon or grace period, usually accorded to any new ascendant to the highest office of any jurisdiction. It is doubtful whether he has ever had a genuine day off from his duties as Head of State; perhaps, save and except his medical visits to Cuba, which in themselves would have had their distinct mental challenges and stresses.

His challenges began from the very first day in office, with the fait accompli presented to his newly-installed administration, of a collapsed sugar industry that threatened an industrial crisis. Then there was the imminent threat of Venezuela’s claim to a substantial portion of Guyana’s territory; and of course, the EXXON discovery of oil, which although had been the brightest news because of its great expectations of new found wealth, was to begin an interesting period of all forms of opinions/views with the sudden emergence of local “experts” of all brands. The national environment was not helped either, by an opposition party, no doubt, chastened by electoral defeat, and which undisguisedly began its orchestrated attempts against the President Granger Administration.

But the President has not been distracted from the historic May 2015 election mandate given him by the electorate. He has refused to be deterred, given the soldier that he had been, after decades of distinguished military service, to the level of army commander in the nation’s armed forces. This has been complemented by an equally very stellar academic career which achievements stand as a monument to the combined qualities which he has brought to an understanding of national leadership, given to the nation at this time.
Only on Thursday, President Granger gave another clear and unambiguous example of responsible and prompt leadership when he addressed members of the Diplomatic Community; the Private Sector Commission and Civil Society, and the Religious Organisations, on the national situation as a result of the No-Confidence Motion (NCM), and all of the related subsequent incidents, particularly the Consequential Orders handed down by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Guyana’s final Court of Appeal.

That he has found it necessary to engage these bodies, have been due to unwarranted and unjustified attacks on his coalition government accusing it of disobeying the Constitution and the Rule-of-Law, in relation to the CCJ’s rulings, and the need to highlight his administration’s position. Above all, there have been accusations of deliberately seeking to “buy time”, with regards the national and regional elections, that pivots around the issue of house-to-house registration, a just and legal demand by the government, for credible national elections.

Not only did the President dispel these spurious accusations, but he was also able to trace his ongoing participation since the passage of the motion to the recent Consequential Orders, and its aftermath, by the following actions undertaken by himself, and to those of his government whom he would have delegated authority of engaging the opposition for a resolution of matters that would finally clear the path for national elections.

He reminded about his meeting with the leader of the opposition, in January 2019; engaging the Elections Commission for the purpose of allocation for funding for national and regional elections, which was subsequently approved by the National Assembly; accepting the resignation of the GECOM Chairperson, as a result of the CCJ’s ruling that the former’s appointment had been “flawed”; accepting the resignation of four cabinet members because of dual citizen status, which the court ruled, definably, prevented them from being members of the House.

And given President Granger’s known penchant for upholding the rule-of-law, this was duly carried out with regards both the CCJ’s decision in June 10, and its Consequential Orders in July in the form of three broadcasts in which he reiterated his government’s acceptance of the decisions of the court in both instances. Of course, he would have emphasised the process now in train to have a Chairperson elected to GECOM, as well as the attendant uncooperative and bad faith position of leader of the opposition. His address to the gatherings, also included his and government’s firm position on the absolute necessity of house-to-house registration for credible national elections.

It is against this background that we find the Stabroek News editorial: “Temporising”, July 26, 2019 highly questionable, without foundation, and very mischievous, aimed at accusing the President of procrastination. It is very erroneous, to say the least.
To accuse the President of “inflicting unnecessary damage on the nation” is to be convenient as to the genesis of the NCM, and of its dishonesty of creation by those who it now seeks to represent. It is an act of reporting that is sensationalist in nature, designed to play to a particular gallery.

Perhaps, this media house needs to be reminded that it was inconceivable for the lists with the kind of known PPP/C sympathisers that had been submitted to the President, by the opposition leader, to be approved. Therefore, given the unacceptability of the lists the President exercised his prerogative in his own “deliberate judgement’’, as he could not have continued to allow Jagdeo in creating an unnecessary tensed social environment. Further, for SN to suggest that there is no constitutional provision for “the President to have a say in the compilation of the lists….”, is to again, be misleading in its interpretation of the CCJ’S decision on this critical constitutional issue. In fact, it was to avoid the “unilateralism” by the President, unavoidable in the first instance; and the resultant contention that would have caused the judges to interpret the constitution along the lines of ‘’consensualism’’ that authorises President Granger to be part of the selecting process, publicly endorsed by the leader of the opposition – but on which he had subsequently repudiated. Thus, we ask, what was wrong with the President emphasising his “must” being a part of the names process, which gives weight to the process of consensus for a speedy resolution of this important constitutional question?

It is quite clear that President Granger not only understands his responsibility imperatives in terms of taking the initiative to conclude the various processes at work, so as to effect the constitutional requirement of elections being held in the shortest time possible; but also to ensure that whatever decisions are taken are done within the proper confines of the constitution; and that they are made known to the nation, and other interested parties. It is his remit, in ensuring that the proper procedures are followed that culminated, on Friday, with the appointment of retired Justice Claudette Singh, as the new GECOM Chairperson.
It leaves many to wonder now, how the Stabroek News might be feeling that after such a crass editorial impugning the character of the President, the very approach to the issue he had espoused was followed in arriving at Justice Singh that even Leader of the Opposition was moved to say he was pleased with the appointment, which emerged out of a consensual process.