Jaganites should come together to rescue the PPP

Dear Editor,

I would like to say off the bat that it is well known that I have publicly came out in support of Cde Moses Nagamootoo to be Guyana’s next president. I believe that Moses is indeed the change that our party and country is longing for. Moses Nagamootoo is the only candidate in the current race that can truly bring disenfranchised members back to the PPP, and like many letter writers before me have mentioned, he is the only presidential contender with cross-over appeal. Moses’s vision for Guyana is that he believes that regardless of race or party affiliation if a person is qualified and can make a positive contribution to their country or the region, then they should be allowed to so do and should be assisted by their government. Guyana is sinking and our moral fibre is at an all-time low, Our young people are unemployed and are losing hope, or should I say faith in the system. Our public servants are grossly underpaid and are looking beyond our borders, Many Police and soldiers are living on bribes and sometimes remittances. Corruption is the order of the day at every level of government.

Moses Nagamootoo has the distinction of being the only leader in the history of Guyana to speak out against his own party while being a sitting MP. I believe this is the type of leader that Guyana needs, for we can no longer sit idly by and allow our country to further slip to a point of no return. I know that a Moses Nagamootoo presidency would finally offer to Guyanese a fairer society, a society which is more compassionate, a society that cares for others and creates social justice and equity of opportunity. While I would never go down the road of putting two of our party leaders against each other, I believe that if Donald Ramotar and President Jagdeo really want to put the party first, then they would open up the process so we can have a competition that is fair. Then and only then would we see the leadership qualities of both [Ralph] Ramkarran and Nagamootoo, and I believe whichever of the two is victorious, party members/supporters and Guyanese at large would rally around that person. Both Moses and Ralph have served our country and party well; they are both men of great integrity and of high moral standards. Both men were not too happy with the hijacking of our party and the breakdown in the rule of law, but where they differ is that Cde Moses became very outspoken and condemned the wrongdoings, while Mr Ramkarran remained silent. During an interview with me on my After Delight programme on NCN radio in 2006, I asked Mr Ramkarran to speak about our party’s victory in 1992, as I wanted him to be reminded of the hope and aspirations of all Guyanese. I was hoping the the 2006 election would be a time of realization for the current leadership and maybe, just maybe, a return to our Jaganite ways; it didn’t happen. This is our time; this is our year to finally put the demons of the past to rest. Guyanese at home and abroad should rally around our cause, and stand up for the country. PPP members and supporters should make their frustrations known at every opportunity; let us send a strong message to President Bharrat Jagdeo and his preferred choice, Mr Donald Ramotar, that we are asking for a process that is fair to select our next presidential candidate. Jaganites should all come together to rescue our party, for Dr Cheddi Jagan would expect nothing less from us.

Yours faithfully,
Ossie Rogers
former Broadcaster
NCN Radio
Ossie Rogers
647 707 1194
385 Montreal rd.
Ottawa On.