By Rickford Burke- The PNCR Leader, Aubrey Norton, at his press conference two weeks ago said that Roysdale Forde’s decision to challenge him for leader was part of a People’s Progressive Party (PPP) plan, and blamed former People’s National Congress Islahat (PNCR) general secretary Amna Ally for Forde’s candidacy.
In responding to Amna Ally’s comments in the press the current leader is unfit, PNCR Chairman, Shurwayne Holder, said Ally doesn’t have the moral authority to say who is fit to be PNC leader.
I thought that PNCR members who are eligible to vote at the Congress have the moral authority to determine who is fit to be leader since the have a vote? But what do I know!
Concomitantly, several PNCR members and operatives who are Norton supporters, trotted out several memes depicting Ally with the PPP flag and logo. This is beyond silly.
My friends in the PNCR waited until 2024, to tell party members and supporters that Ally, the former PNCR General Secretary, former PNCR Executive Member for the past 30 plus years, and former PNCR MP for the past 30 plus years, has no “moral authority” to say who is fit to be party leader, because she is from the PPP?
What is insidious, however, is that Ally is of course East Indian. Hence, this demagoguery from the Norton camp may appear to some to be a bit racist.
Furthermore, if Forde’s candidacy is a PPP creation, and Amna Ally is a PPP operative, that means that the PPP is running the PNCR or at least dictating what goes on in the PNCR, right? What “fit” leader of the PNCR will allow the PPP to control his party?
Deeply concerned about the state of the PNCR
I am deeply concerned about the state of the PNCR, and the continuum and of disunity and internecine warfare within the party, which is on full display to members, constituents and nation. The result is the obvious deficiency in representation of its constituents, and an ineffective parliamentary opposition party.
I am also concerned about some decisions and activities of the PNCR leadership; decisions that perpetuate divisiveness and fractionism, rather than promote reconciliation, healing and unity. Decisions that foster self-aggrandizement of some, rather than foster the interest of the party and its constituents. We must always promote people over politics. I abhor selfish, destructive politics.
The PNCR is at crossroads and must decide whether defeating the PPP is its only mission or defeating itself with circular firing squads is more important that defeating the racist, corrupt PPP regime. If the latter is the paramount objective, count me out as a supporter! I will not support that destructive agenda.
I believe in doing whatever it takes to win, not to compete for second place. At its current rate of disunity and ineffective political representation of constituents, the PNCR seems to be enjoying second place in Guyana’s electoral politics. Supporters must, therefore, insist on a change of course.
Moreover, the minimisation and mistreatment of the PNCR General Secretary is disgraceful. It speaks volumes of the leadership and a culture of betrayal that must be halted and eschewed. It also conveys to women, as well as the Indigenous population, rightly or wrongly, a measure of misogynistic disdain for one of their own. Such hegemony must never be tolerated by a political party.
Under its prevailing dispensation the PNCR has changed three, General Secretaries, all women. Women are the backbone of the PNCR. They must be respected. Differences of opinion must not lead to isolation, disrespect and diminishment of an officer. This type of retribution could foretell poor leadership and management acumen.
As we approach another general elections cycle, PNCR members and supporters must come together to inspire a paradigm shift in the party; a shift that will realize a new dispensation that positions the party to be vicious at the next general elections. It’s current trajectory is perilous!
The leader of the party is not the only person who bears responsibility for the status quo but must accept responsibility for not achieving unity. Therefore, maybe it’s time for new leadership!
I continue to believe and advocate that the top priority for the party now is to build a bigger and better coalition, select an electable presidential candidate who will beat the PPP, build a formidable campaign infrastructure throughout Guyana and begin to raise the finances needed to win the elections.