TERRENCE Campbell, the PNC’s parliamentary leader is facing two choices and depending on which one he endorses, his entry into politics will take on a humiliating face. Campbell in a recent interview noted that the 12 APNU parliamentarians should be seen by Guyanese as “an opportunity for change.”

A vibrant press and a strong political society have to ask Campbell what he means by “opportunity for change” given that the WPA is part of APNU which has a seat in parliament. He went on to add that the work of the 12 will be in the interest of all Guyanese and not party supporters.

One choice is to go the way he has enunciated, in which by targeting the nation as a whole his party will be a multi-racial player. The competing alternative has to do with the WPA component of APNU. There is nothing even vaguely multi-racial about the two-man entity named WPA – Tacuma Ogunseye and David Hinds.

Campbell must be pressed to answer questions about the presence in his midst of Ogunseye and Hinds just as Aubrey Norton answered questions about Hinds, and in doing so committed political suicide. In endorsing the political backwardness and extremist obsessions of Hinds, Norton lost votes from moderate African Guyanese.

So, it is now Campbell’s turn to tell the nation how he feels about (1), Ogunseye’s politics and (2), Hinds’ ethnic bible. Here is the first question in relation to Ogunseye. Did Campbell read and see what Ogunseye said about the use of violence against an elected government? If no, Campbell must check it out. But let’s inform Campbell of what Ogunseye advocated.

Addressing a public meeting, he urged the security forces to use their guns against the government.

PNC leader Norton when asked for his reaction said, “I agree with his message.” Campbell should state if he agreed with Ogunseye’s violent incitement for which he has been charged for inciting racial hostility.

How does Campbell promise that the PNC will be for all Guyanese not only APNU supporters when there is nothing in Hinds’ daily sermons that speak of Guyanese but only African Guyanese. Let’s remind Campbell what his fellow ANPU parliamentarian said about then senior PNC parliamentarian, Geeta Chandan.

Ms. Chandan objected to insults about the Indian race in Guyana by an African woman speaking at an ANPU meeting. Hinds denunciated Chandan and described her as a slave–catcher. When as a guest on the Freddie Kissoon Show, he was reminded of his comments against Chandan, Hinds explained that she should keep her mouth out of Black people business.

I quote Hinds below and ask Campbell for his take on the following words of Hinds: “Me bin ah Better Hope Market/Mon Repos Market a couple years ago, and me see a crowd. Me say eh eh, what a crowd deh… they say is a lady selling black pudding; me is a black pudding man, me go up and say eh eh this black pudding ga fuh sweet. When me go, is not a black lady selling the black pudding; well, I almost fall down dead. You left Plaisance, BV, Buxton fuh go Mon Repos Market fuh buy black pudding?”

What does Campbell believe Hinds was getting at? Does Campbell accept that Hinds was being racially insensitive?

Elson Low said on the Freddie Kissoon Show he had spoken to Hinds about his words. Christopher Ram, a friend of Hinds, denounced him on the Freddie Kissoon Show about his racially charged output. How is Campbell going to manage a new look PNC/APNU while coping with the ethnic philosophy of Hinds?

Campbell said on a podcast that he intends to campaign in PPP constituencies and he cited Babu John and Port Mourant. Two questions arise. Who is he going to take with him on these campaigns and will Hinds be there with him? Secondly, when the Indian people ask Campbell about Hinds’ constant talk about this race and that race, what is going to be the reaction of Campbell?

There are a lot of questions Campbell has to answer about David Hinds and how he manoeuvres in that minefield will decide whether he ends up being a despised figure or someone who can rescue the PNC and return it to its glory days. I predict an ugly experience for Campbell as he and Hinds do their thing separately.

It is easy to predict what is going to happen among the 12 APNU parliamentarians. Campbell is going to want to sound conciliatory. He has already said where possible he is going to work with the government. And as soon as Campbell says one thing, Hinds is going to go on social media and contradict him by singing ethnic songs. Campbell has his work cut out for him.

DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited.