PNCR presidential hopeful and attorney James Bond, 31, says his acceptance of the nomination is a signal that the country’s youth are capable and willing to provide leadership at the national level.
In an interview with Stabroek News yesterday, Bond said he would have been sending the wrong message had he refused the nomination. Running against seasoned political and professional individuals the likes of fellow attorney and PNCR Vice-Chairman Basil Williams, Caricom economist Carl Greenidge, retired army Brigadier David Granger and former minister Dr Faith Harding Bond thinks his age works in his favour. “I also accepted as I find there is a general disconnect between the political leadership and the youths of this country. I am a trained lawyer but I see my strengths in opening avenues of advocacy representation, social and economic leadership for young people in Guyana,” he said. He added, “I have great respect for all of the other nominees … the CEC has approved a first-class list. Whoever is the presidential candidate Guyana has won a victory and as a country we are on the road to achieving our goal of a Guyana where every citizen is held accountable for his actions ….”
According to Bond, his candidacy, if viewed in its proper context, is one of hope for the future and the trust that Guyanese have in young people irrespective of their race, status, or age. He noted too that the country is not run by a single individual but a group of people with the requisite skills in various fields and therefore his age should not eliminate him. “I see this as a new dispensation for the youth of Guyana where he is part and parcel of the decision-making process of the country as it is the young who have a greater investment in the future of the country and should undoubtedly play a greater role than is currently allowed them,” he stated.
On the issue of his party being held accountable for alleged excesses during its time in power, Bond said he is in favour of the party offering its mea culpa.
“Guyana has benefited from the leadership of the PNCR in the past and in the present if anyone were to say that they have done nothing good for the people of Guyana then I will say yes the PNCR should apologise whilst showing them the model of Caricom and the non aligned movement and the United Nations and ACP.”
The attorney added that the PNCR has left an “indelible hand” on the infrastructure of the country while adding that the question should also be asked if the PPP needs to apologise for its excesses.
Bond, who is married and has a three-year-old son, said he joined the political process at the age of 18 but only became actively involved last June. “My nomination in itself dispels the fear of inexperience as the Presidential Process Committee and the Central Executive Committee of the PNCR are of the opinion that I am qualified and thereafter approved my nomination,” he added
