AS a political analyst, I put substantial importance on the local government elections (LGEs) results, particularly the Georgetown municipality voting last June. I argued on this page that the result showed that there is widespread acceptance for the Ali presidency and his government throughout Guyana. Please see my two columns analysing the results with a statistical comparison between the LGEs in 2018 and 2023.
The PPP’s performance could be described as superb or phenomenal. What should have been a resounding defeat for the PPP turned out to be a fantastic electoral achievement. Why the PPP should have been defeated? Because from August 2020 when Dr. Ali assumed the presidency, an over-zealous army has been relentless.
How could any ruling party could have won the 2023 LGEs with that kind of army at the gate? The war began in September 2020 with the Cotton Tree murder of two cousins. Since then, the war continues to be waged against the government. Do not take my word for it- just examine it yourself. Since Ali became president, the daily editorials of the Stabroek News (SN) have been critical without exception.
The daily column of Glenn Lall’s sycophant with the pen name of Peeping Tom, has been critical without exception. One day I am going to get so angry with Peeping Tom that I am going to eventually do what I haven’t done over these long years and tell tale out of school.
All the columnists with SN, except Mr. Ralph Ramkarran, who is not an SN columnist, have been condemnatory of the PPP government since August 2020. You have to throw in the comedy of Glenn Lall; GHK Lall; David Hinds; Mark Benschop; Rickford Burke; and others like them. You have to throw in the anti-government journalism of the Guyana Press Association, Gordon Moseley, HGBTV, the usual suspects, the anti-oil lobby. And of course, there is the official opposition.
I ask in all sincerity; how did the PPP win the 2023 with the war that was waged against it? The PPP doubled its votes and seats in Georgetown. It won in several places where African Guyanese voted traditionally for the PNC. The answer is important to note.
First, Ali’s style of presidency is encouraging. Secondly, Guyanese know they have in their midst people that are irrational and driven by hate. In other words, Guyanese people know who is who.
We have the identical situation with the Venezuelan threats. Those that have been harassing the government since August 2020 are silent. Have you seen a letter in SN since the Maduro madness with 40 signatures below the letter denouncing Maduro? It is as barefaced as this.
Rickford Burke is silent. Mark Benschop wrote in favour of Venezuela. GHK Lall wrote in favour of Venezuela. Peeping Tom keeps denouncing Jagdeo three times a week. Glenn Lall’s comic show spoke words that were sympathetic to Venezuela. Now remember at all times, these are the people that since August 2020 have been frenetically condemning every aspect of governance. It is a non-stop show.
Do you think the Guyanese people have not noticed these people’s hatred even in times when Guyana’s sovereignty is being threatened? Five brave patriots lost their lives and someone called into the Gildarie-Freddie Kissoon Show Friday night to say that Mark Benschop blamed the government. The Guyana Human Rights Association is so driven by anti-PPP hate that it has hibernated but you can bet your last dollar, SN is going to resurrect it.
These anti-government haters are so far gone that they cannot see that the other side of the coin is increasing sympathy for the Ali presidency. I believe the Maduro madness and the death of those five heroes are the last nail in the coffin. Guyanese know who the enemies within are.
I have been told by former APNU+AFC official in Berbice, Gobin Harbajan that Glenn Lall is forming a political party and has been frequenting the Berbice area. Remember this column after the 2025 election results. Only two persons will vote for Lall – Lall himself and the man who writes under Peeping Tom. His sidekick GHK Lall will vote for the PNC.
My thinking is that there is going to be a huge increase in the votes for the PPP 2025. Is there a possibility that the PPP can obtain a two/thirds majority? This year is almost over and as we climb deeper into 2024 with election fever creeping in, I would suggest you closely examine the 2023 LGE results.
With the battle against the PPP so intense, the PPP won the war in June 2023. It is going to repeat itself in 2025 because the Guyanese people will remember that in 2023, who the enemies within were.