PRESIDENT, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali has signalled his intention to meet with the new APNU+AFC Coalition Leader of the Opposition, Aubrey Norton. This is indeed a magnanimous gesture, especially when seen against the background of the refusal of the APNU+AFC to recognise the legitimacy of the PPP/C administration which was elected to office in free and fair elections.

Governance is serious business and the political opposition has to demonstrate to the nation that it is prepared to rise to the task of being a responsible opposition. It cannot continue to hide under the fig leaf of being cheated out of office, when the entire world knows otherwise. This is counterproductive and will not in any way enhance the process of national dialogue.

The new leader of the PNC and for that matter the parliamentary opposition is no stranger to politics. He had, at varying periods, been at the receiving end of the political stick in his own party and is aware of the internal dynamics of his party.

Now he has an opportunity to reset that dynamic and change the image of the PNC as a responsible party.

For one thing, he has to come to terms with the reality that the PPP/C is the legitimate government, having won a mandate in free, fair and certified elections. In any political contest, there will always be claims and counter-claims regarding the fairness or otherwise of the poll, but a responsible political party must be in a position to draw the line between victory and defeat and concede defeat graciously, especially when the elections are manifestly free and fair as in the case of the March 2, 2020 elections.

Mr Norton as Leader of the PNC and the parliamentary opposition has a unique opportunity to change the narrative and recognise the legitimacy of the PPP/C administration. Such references as ‘installed regime’ are unhelpful in terms of improving the current political climate so necessary to advance the governance process. In any functioning democracy, the political opposition has an important role to play in terms of keeping the government in check and ensuring that constitutional functions are executed.

President Ali has indicated that he will meet with the Leader of the Opposition to discuss constitutional matters and the meeting is expected to be held within the next two weeks. For his part, the Opposition Leader has also indicated his willingness to fulfil his constitutional obligations, but would prefer consultations beyond the appointment of Commissioners and Judges.

One can only hope that good sense will prevail and the Opposition Leader will not allow that opportunity to have meaningful discussions with the President to get bogged down with extraneous and irrelevant matters.