-Defends democracy and development track record

By Bebi Shafeah Oosman

“We have the people.”  Those four words echoed with power and conviction across Albion Road on Sunday, as General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party, Bharrat Jagdeo, delivered a passionate address to the largest crowd gathered in the lead-up to the next national elections.

Speaking at the major PPP/C rally, Jagdeo opened by paying tribute to the party’s founding father, Dr. Cheddi Jagan, saying the late leader would have been proud of the PPP/C’s growth and unwavering commitment to his legacy.

“Cheddi Jagan would have been proud of the growth of the PPP/C as they have remained faithful to his ideals and committed to serving the people of the country.”

He reminded supporters that Jagan’s leadership was rooted in the pursuit of justice, freedom and unity, values that the PPP/C continues to defend today.

“Jagan united Guyanese to fight for freedom when that was snatched away from them and today, we are breaking down those barriers, we are dismantling the lies so that we can become a national united party,” Jagdeo said, stressing that Jagan understood the necessity of national unity for “lasting progress.”

Punctuating his message with emotion, he told the sea of red-clad supporters:

“I stand here with immense pride and I’m sure in your hearts you also shared that pride.”

Jagdeo didn’t mince words about the importance of the PPP/C’s leadership.

He told the crowd that the country’s development would have been stifled if the APNU+AFC coalition had remained in power.

“Guyana would have been different had the PPP/C not been in leadership.”

He warned that the Opposition continues to deceive the public, referencing their false claim of winning the 2020 elections.

Guyanese must protect their country, he urged, “and remember the lies of the Opposition claimed that they had won the 2020 elections.”

Jagdeo also slammed the Opposition for abandoning key sectors, questioning how they could now face the very citizens they had failed.

“What will they say to the sugar workers, the rice farmers, the businessmen whom they made promises and failed to deliver?” he asked, before offering his own conclusion

“This is why their support for meetings has been so low because they will never deliver on those promises,” he said.

The former president accused the Opposition of historically marginalising Region Six and continuing to show disregard for its people.

“APNU+AFC has always been prejudiced to Region Six—the PPP/C stronghold.”

Turning to the economy and job creation, Jagdeo reminded the crowd of the damaging closure of the Rose Hall Sugar Estate under the APNU+AFC administration. He ridiculed their new proposal to cultivate marijuana on sugar lands.

“They are now claiming that they will close the sugar industry and grow marijuana on the land,” he said with disdain, urging citizens to “pay attention to their intention.”

Jagdeo also outlined the PPP/C’s support for rice farmers and defended the part-time jobs program introduced under their government.

“There has been nothing done for rice farmers,” he noted. “And if APNU is to return, the part-time workers will immediately lose their jobs.”

He pointed out that many of those employed through the program are women and housewives who now contribute to their families and communities through meaningful work.

Shifting to infrastructure, Jagdeo told the crowd that the region’s development, particularly roads and bridges, was only possible under a PPP/C government.

“Without the PPP in office, there will be no four-lane road,” he declared. “However, the PPP/C will return and ensure Berbicians can drive from Molsen Creek to New Amsterdam on a four-lane road and across the Berbice River on a high-span bridge.”

He emphasised that these achievements were not hypothetical; they were happening now. But they would have been impossible under an APNU-led government.

“Had the PPP/C not been in office, these would not have been possible, as APNU would have continued to stymie Berbice. Only with a PPP/C government can this region make progress.”

As he neared the end of his fiery speech, Jagdeo rallied voters in Region Six to turn out in even greater numbers this election.

“The last elections, the region had 40,000 more,” he noted. “This election, I want to see more than 55,000.”

He closed by reflecting on what he said is the key to the PPP/C’s sustained support, “Our party has grown because it is a trustworthy party. It does what it says, and it plans for the future.”

And with a confident nod to that future, he added, “We have the clear plans for the future…”

Jagdeo’s message was clear: the PPP/C not only has the people—it has the plan, the track record, and the vision to keep moving Guyana forward.

He told the thousands gathered that “you matter, you have to defend this party, you have to defend its legacy, you have to ensure that our children have a great future.”