SINCE the PPP/C Government came to power on August 2 last year, there has been a plot brewing to make the country ungovernable and create instability in the sectors of the economy. The opposition APNU+AFC Coalition only heightened that plot to include the COVID-19 policy measures and campaign.

The PPP/C Government is facing a massive pushback while attempting the formulation and execution of new policies. The APNU+AFC Coalition has used its tenure in opposition to instigate confusion, mischief, misinformation, and protests. Luckily, the very skilled and experienced PPP/C Government has exposed this strategy of the opposition APNU+AFC Coalition. The PPP/C seems to be correcting the deficiencies quietly and quickly while still rejecting the Coalition politics in general.

Quickly, let us attempt to get into the mind of this politically aggressive organism which some would say is behaving like a tyrant. By doing so, the plot which was alluded to earlier becomes clear because its deficiencies are exposed.

Firstly, the APNU+AFC Opposition is using the race and discrimination card foolishly. It continues to make allegations without the evidence or verifiable data. It has failed to make any credible complaints to the ERC, security apparatus (GPF), State, and Parliament to date. It hopes its supporters will buy in to get the arguments made and lash out against the PPP/C government. But the PPP/C is not giving them the chance to make mischief, so its ministers remain focused on the people, the rollout of manifesto and development plans, and the delivery of socio-economic growth.

Secondly, the opposition APNU+AFC is trying to stir up trouble by constantly using the trade and workers unions, agencies, and the right groups. They are not so innocent in this plot. For instance, this plot was rolled out over the past two weeks with the Guyana Teachers’ Union calling out the teachers to protest. It was a desperate and politically charged move.

Alas, the opposition politicians could not resist the fame and attention. They were promoting the union’s interest and fanning the flames of unrest. The APNU+AFC political hand was at work because it unleashed Sherod Duncan, who is described as wild and livid, to fight the GTU’s battle. He underestimated Manickchand and could not win in the end. Duncan was left licking his social media wounds.

And, Attorney-General Anil Nandlall stepped up the pressure in the courts against the vaccination policy challenge. He argued that the government has a right to curtail some rights and freedoms of citizens when there is a health pandemic as no one’s rights are absolute. This move caused panic in the opposition APNU+AFC camp. In this case, it failed miserably to ignite the plot against the government to sow confusion and division.

Thirdly, the opposition wants the people to think its hands are clean but is struggling to control the rogue and desperate politicians who are doing more harm than good. The APNU+AFC opposition knows it cannot bring pressure to bear on the government using the Parliament, so it will turn to the Police Force and likely the justification of crime and criminality in doing so.

Already, the opposition is using the families to speak out against the government and police. it is setting the stage for the police to get into a confrontation with its supporters. Their dishonest rhetoric that the government is killing Black people goes well with the plot.

Added to that, they are toxically spreading misinformation on social media. Together, the opposition’s politics of opportunism, race hate, and anti-development will hurt Guyana, and division will occur if it is allowed. But the plot is failing and the opposition is losing political ground with both parties brawling internally.

Finally, everyone must be alert and guard against being duped and caught up in the opposition plot. Until the APNU+AFC realises it is hurting Guyana and manipulating good change, it will constantly warm the opposition benches. The opposition must start focusing on meaningful policies and articulating recommendations for the development of Guyana even though it is not the government. It also needs leaders who will debate an issue without crossing paths into the personal and personalities.

It must behave like a responsible opposition. It has to hold meetings regularly and plan. This knee-jerk reaction to everything will not work. Leadership means having the ability to tell the truth to the nation when the APNU+AFC opposition knows it will not get much out of it. The APNU+AFC Coalition is singing songs from the same songbook and is playing the same set of instruments. This plot will not work because the PPP/C sees it and counters it every time.

Go back to the plan and start doing something for the people that looks like representation. Lick the wounds and recognise the government so that political dialogue and change could move forward.