The parliamentary opposition last evening pledged that it will continue to hammer the Ramotar- led government over its “dictatorship” leadership-style even as Chairman of the AFC Nigel Hughes said that the prorogation of parliament has plunged the country into a constitutional crisis.
Hughes, in addressing the almost two thousand people who turned up at the Square of the Revolution for an APNU-organised rally, made it known that the AFC will be the watchdog of the treasury to ensure there is no unauthorised spending by government during the prorogation period.
A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) had announced earlier this week that the party will be holding the rally, which was one in a series, to garner public support for their decision to denounce the President’s decision to prorogate Parliament. The next rally will be held at the same venue next Tuesday.
Though APNU were the organisers, the Alliance for Change (AFC) came out in support of the cause and several of its members addressed the large crowd.
Hughes, whose address captured the full attention of those gathered, called for constitutional changes which according to him was the only way “to save this country from destruction.”
“These are serious times. Very serious times. It is not a time for us to joke because we cannot allow our children to walk right back into colonialism,” he noted, while issuing calls for a united front to remove the current regime.
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In reading a message on behalf of his party, Hughes said that “the unprecedented action by the President of Guyana has plunged the country into a constitutional crisis and in deep uncharted waters.” He said that all legal and responsible political steps must be taken to correct this “egregious action” and protect the democratic rights of citizens.
He added that the AFC will be unwavering in its commitment to holding the government to account, correcting its unauthorised practices and undoing the undemocratic actions while safeguarding the rights of the peoples’ elected representatives.
Unilaterally
According to Hughes, the President has unilaterally shut down the National Assembly and has by “his actions revealed his anti-democratic credentials”. He called for the restoration of the full functioning of the National Assembly without artificial restrictions and or encumbrances.
“The President’s spurious excuse that the country requires a cooling down period is pure rubbish, the issues were in the public domain for the past six months without any invitation from the President to the joint opposition. This reveals the real lack of sincerity of the President’s actions,” he said, adding that the Joint Opposition has resolved that there will be no extra- parliamentary engagement with the President on the matters which were before the National Assembly.
He said that during the period of prorogation, only expenditures permitted in the constitution during a period of dissolution will be accepted and “we will be watching carefully to protect our treasury”.
Hughes said that during the “current interregnum the country is at significant risk as the absence of oversight by Parliament in national matters, inclusive of financial expenditure and contracting, bilateral obligations and national security.” Such a situation, he said, recognises that time is of the essence and timely and decisive action is necessary if long-term and or permanent damage to the Guyanese society was to be avoided. In this regard, the international community, foreign missions and international and domestic business community will be alerted that any contract, other than contracts for the supply of essential goods and services, entered into by the current administration during the period of prorogation will be subject to review and possible rescission upon the election of a new administration.
He said that his party calls on the international community to assist Guyana by engaging all political parties and civil society in formal, structured public dialogue on the restoration of normalcy in the governance of the country.
“If (at) no other time in the history of Guyana that it is demonstratively plain that the current constitutional arrangement is one of the biggest blights to unity, good governance and economic prosperity, it is now,” he said.
Constitutional change, Hughes added is the only way to stop the vicious cycle and all stakeholders should come together “in a quick march down the road of constitutional reform or we will be locked into the ever deteriorating cycle of abuse and lack of accountability by those we elect to serve us.”
Accountability
Opposition Leader David Granger, who brought the curtains down on the three-hour long rally, urged the gathering to hold the government accountable and not allow them to get away with their dictatorship style. He said that the president’s “ducking” will not be long-lasting.
He stated that the government had made many promises but among what the population was left with are chikungunya and prorogation. Amidst loud applause, Granger said that “we have a problem and the problem name Ramotar.” He added that the president “is under a big test.”
He said that the duck test had to be applied as the president is ducking out of every situation he faces. He said that the country is now faced with a dictatorship-style situation and as such the duck test had to be applied to Ramotar “’cause he is behaving like a dictator. He walks like a dictator. He talks like a dictator…President Ramotar doesn’t act like a democrat.” He asserted that prorogating Parliament is an aspect of dictatorship.
Granger said that the proroguing of Parliament is part of PPP’s “duck plan.” He said that the government by making this move wanted to duck from the no-confidence vote planned by the opposition, and holding local government elections, among other things. He insisted that while the president can duck, he cannot hide.
Granger said that it is clear that people are “fed up of the PPP” and plugged an APNU-led government.
“Under the APNU, there will be no prorogation. Under the APNU, there will be no dictatorship. Under the APNU, we promise you local government elections every three years. Under the APNU, we will listen to every single community in this country,” he declared.
He said that “[Ramotar] thinks he is being smart but what he is doing is conducting an election campaign and he wants time to spend money. He wants to avoid the scrutiny of the National Assembly….” He added that he cannot duck forever as when he opens the door to the National Assembly he will see the no-confidence motion and a united opposition.
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Granger pointed that “tonight is a night for revolution. Tonight is a night for decision.” He asked the crowd if they wanted the no-confidence motion passed, the crowd shouted yes. Asked if they wanted the parliament to be reconvened so that the motion can be dealt with, those gathered shouted yes. They also said that they wanted the PPP to go.
Boycott
APNU executive member Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine, in his address, singled out the State-owned Guyana Chronicle and the government-aligned Guyana Times newspaper for twisted reportage on political issues. In calling for a boycott of the two media entities, he said that “within a very short time we will have to arrange a ceremony at the Square of the Revolution where we can put an enormous bonfire of the Chronicle and the Guyana Times to let them know we understand the manipulation. We understand the nastiness of their threats and we intend to act on it”.
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He urged those gathered not to purchase the two newspapers. “When Channel 11 comes on, change the channel because there is only so much poison that your system can take,” he said adding that these entities are pouring poison into the minds of the people.
He said that the aim of the rally was to get “instructions” on how to proceed with prorogation. He assured that the night’s gathering was only the beginning as APNU intends to mobilise more stakeholders in the fight for democracy. Active discussions will be held with the trade unions and the religious organs, he added.
Test the gov’t
While scores were adorned in their green and yellow to represent for their parties, others who obviously arrived straight from work sported neutral colours but this did not have an impact on their enthusiasm to participate.
Many in attendance lauded the combined opposition’s refusal to meet with the government while Parliament remains prorogued.
Even before the meeting commenced at 5:30pm, the crowd was in its hundreds and anxious persons made small talk about the prospect of elections, after the end of what could be a six-month long prorogation. However, as the daylight turned into night, and the announcement of a start rang through the giant speakers across the square, the numbers increased steadily to about 1,500 strong.
During the rally, the young and the elderly paid close attention as the speakers presented on their reason for meeting and the way forward.
“I think that the opposition should test the government,” one man declared. He explained that the combined opposition should meet with the government during the period Parliament is prorogued, so that when the Parliament reconvenes and they present the No- Confidence Motion, it would be justified. “Somebody got to bend,” the man lamented, adding, “or we will not go anywhere.” He said that meeting with the government will not be signs of weakness, but rather prove their point that they are willing to cooperate.
On the other hand, another man who labelled himself a concerned citizen, told Stabroek News that he was there to support the opposition’s protest against President Ramotar’s action. “It has stalled the progress of the country,” he opined, adding “We need the opening of parliament or elections.”
Among those who spoke at the rally were Volda Lawrence, Basil Williams and Sydney Allicock. (Additional reporting by Dacia Whaul)
