ON Thursday last, Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon announced his candidacy for the post of leader of the People’s National Congress at a small launching ceremony.

Seemingly grateful and upbeat about running for the post, Harmon delivered a routine, lackluster and basic presentation about the need for party unity, healing, and reconciliation. As was expected, Harmon spoke about his incohesive 10-point plan, which veered off at several points to include Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo and the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) criticising them for everything possible under the sun.

The Opposition Leader then went on with his ramblings, amid technical glitches, about the PNC+APNU+AFC banter — included his discrimination and employment gaff. There were no facts.

And, those that watched the live broadcast witnessed a would-be leader of the PNC telling them an inaccurate history of his party’s accomplishments, the APNU+AFC Coalition’s record, and several untruths.

Firstly, Harmon is no David Granger, Robert Corbin, Desmond Hoyte, or Forbes Burnham. He proved that he does not possess the oratory skills or disposition like previous PNC leaders.

Even Granger would have evoked interest because he commands the attention and fascination of his peers. He would have prepared and stuck to his speech when seeking the party’s support.

Harmon did not. He chose to disregard the notes of his handlers and campaign team. Harmon was never schooled on effective political communication by any past political leader or party comrade. His speech was humdrum and not up to par with what the viewing public has come to expect from a prospective PNC leader. And Harmon was dehydrated during his rant. This action in his face caused the viewing public to be interested in the workings of his mouth.

Secondly, he could not convince anyone that he was passionate about what he was saying and committed to saving the PNC from the almost certain disunity, disharmony, and infighting that are making inroads in the PNC with Congress nomination set to take place November 11, 2021.

Harmon’s utterances came across as ingenuine. They seem to be politically sinister as folks in the party generally do not support him because of the ongoing rift with Volda Lawrence and Granger. After all, he is seen as being favoured by Granger and is even behaving like him when he has meetings with his parliamentarians, and politicians inside Congress place. No politician of any sort of standing or following in the PNC is standing by Harmon’s side.

Yet, he received tributes from some party parliamentarians which included Natasha Smith, Ganesh Mahipaul, Roysdale Forde, and Daniel Seeram. It is widely believed that Amna Ally and Annette Ferguson are only supporting him because they support Granger, and no one wants the pair on their team for the upcoming Congress.

Thirdly, there is nothing original or new about what he plans to do if he wins the PNC leadership race.

For example, taking photo opts from one’s work as an opposition leader and posting them in a PowerPoint presentation as part of one’s political work for the party, does not mean that one could function as a PNC leader.

Added to that, other members of the Central Executive know the stories behind the construction of the Congress-Houses, which were part of his so-called list of accomplishments for the post. In the same way, making campaign promises to turn the fortunes of the PNC around through lucrative business proposals while aiming to secure the top post, are wrong.

Harmon has neither the years of experience, statesmanship, intellectual aptitude, internationalism, deportment, and popularity to be successful in the race. Harmon failed in his bid to become party Chairman at the last election. He is now aiming higher and will need divine intervention to make him clench the post of leader. He is hoping that the laws of probability are backing him.

Finally, Harmon could have set the tone ahead of his nomination. He could have made a declaration that would end rigging, which is the tool the PNC utilises to win elections. He could have stated that his vision includes a new PNC, which is ready to open up a dialogue by admitting defeat at 2020 polls and withdrawing the flimsy electoral challenge to the results.

He could have even announced that were he to become the leader of the PNC, it would mark the end of race-based and opportunistic politics on the party end. He could have even given internal concessions to smooth his path to the leadership post. But he did not and will not! It’s time to stop gambling with PNC’s future!