THE many facets of the Opposition’s demeanour generally point to an agenda of wanton disdain for the welfare of Guyana and Guyanese. No politician, regardless of the side he/she may be on, would openly demonstrate such capabilities. As noted in a previous instalment, opposing politicians can rise above partisanship in the interest of people as seen in some other countries. Unfortunately, this quality has been absent from Guyana’s Opposition following the ascension of the PPP/C to government over two decades ago.

This absence of such statesmanship became even more noticeable since 2011. It once again brings into focus the repeated question of why would a politician, in this case a local, proudly and explicitly engage in actions that put in jeopardy the well-being of his country and people? This proclivity, almost unashamedly, to put the nation at risk has characterised the Opposition over the past three to four years. But much has already been said about this. Interestingly, over this same period, some horrific tales were revealed.

The Commission Of Inquiry (COI) into the death of prominent Guyanese historian, Dr. Walter Rodney, presented the nation with the opportunity to be afforded the truth in an effort to bring closure to a very dark chapter in the country’s history. President Donald Ramotar, who, through a request from Dr. Rodney’s widow, went to much pains to explain the need for such an inquiry and more so, that the findings would not be used for prosecution. In other words, let the story be told and move on. But that’s where I find it interesting.

Many came forward to tell their related stories, but the PNC, now APNU, which was the government when Dr. Rodney was killed, has refused up to this point, to testify. It is believed that when someone has nothing to hide, he would be adamant to tell his story. This must bring into question the old cliché, is there something to hide! One can only assume that based upon what was revealed through testimonies of some persons and who are known critics of the Government, that there is the possibility of something to remain hidden. Of course, some things which were hidden were revealed.

These include the shocking revelation that guns belonging to the army were issued to the PNC Party then! Could you imagine the furore the Opposition and its media cohorts would make if such an arrangement were to occur today with the PPP/C Government? The thunderous outcry would be deafening in an effort to mask hypocrisy. I will examine aspects of the Opposition’s hypocrisy in subsequent columns. Such arrangement then to give guns to the ruling PNC Party epitomises the wanton paramountcy that existed; the Palm Tree symbol was superior to everything, including the Constitution. The question regarding the need for the guns remains officially unanswered.

The image of the PNC flag, fluttering high in the courtyard of the Appeal court then, symbolised the hallmark of such indignity. But what does this mean in the context of deconstructing the Opposition’s agenda today? It represents the mindset of some of those same politicians in the PNC then, and who have now positioned themselves as an alternative government. They have, with the help of cohorts in some sections of the media, tried to manipulate history in an effort to conceal a past riddled with atrocities and to deliberately fool members of the younger generation. This explains the name change from PNC to now an alliance with the AFC.

More importantly, the Leader of the PNC/Alliance publicly articulated that the PNC should not accept any responsibility for Dr. Rodney’s death. This is in contrast to the testimony of someone whose Party is now part of the PNC/Alliance. That testimony left no ambiguity as to who is believed to be responsible. Some Opposition members have even articulated that such incidents like Dr. Rodney’s death, be left in the past; in other words, no closure, no truth. This can only be interpreted as a calculative attempt for the past to be forgotten! This position remains steadfast to the agenda of the Opposition and some media operatives who are bent on rewriting Guyana’s history.

That aside, it must be asked, why would the Opposition want to take such a position with regard Dr. Rodney’s death but promises that, if they were to win the elections, they would delve into the past, through witch-hunting, against PPPC officials? What has become laughable is that the PNC alliance leader is a historian while such a call is being made. Is this a hint that a historian would probably want for history to be forgotten with regards to another historian! If that were the case, then it becomes the pinnacle of hypocrisy which stays resolute to their agenda to deceive.

By Teayken A. Dhigg