A humble but strong Leonorian, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali finally sworn in

Dear Editor,
Finally, Guyana has a reason to rejoice soberly in all sincerity after 153 days of antagonising and frustrating waiting days. The entire Guyana is buzzing with uncontrollable excitement as Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali has been finally officially declared as the legal and legitimate elected 9th Executive President for the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and to rule for the next five years in power and the PPP/C party is to be invited to form the new Government.
GECOM has sent an official memoir to the Chancellor, attesting to this affirmation. At the time of writing, Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette Cummings Edwards (ag) was swearing in the new President. Also sworn-in was the new Prime Minister, Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips. The new Vice President of Guyana is past President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo.
Not surprising, Mr Anil Nandlall was sworn in as the new Attorney General. It was a very historical event. This was made possible only after GECOM’s CEO, Mr Lowenfield, finally presented a report in concurrence with the direction of the Madam Chair, the honourable Retired Justice, Ms Claudette Singh.
His report formed the basis as per the Caricom creditable recount result, confirming that the allocation of seats will be PPP/C 33, the APNU/AFC 31 and the combined parties 1.
All this occurred after some testing and teasing moments earlier in the morning as the APNU/AFC Commissioners went through their usual shenanigans. But that has become a norm and perhaps without that type of performance, APNU/AFC would not have been living up to its true nature. They departed the meeting prior to the declaration.
Sunday is considered, acknowledged, accepted, recognised and observed as basically, the Sabbath day, a day for prayers, a day to visit a place of worship as per one’s faith, belief or religion, a day for weddings, a day for religious function, a day to socialise, a day to read, a day to relax, a day to read, a day to rest and for some, it’s just another working day.
But in the wisdom of the learned madam Chair, she waited from Thursday’s decision from the COA to summon a meeting for Sunday, perhaps a strategy in the framework of foresight within the confines of anticipated positivity or administrative authority or closed-door transactions or undisclosed negotiation or voluntary discussions.
Did the weather play a hand in the decision making, literally or ironically? Was the significance of both holidays on Friday and Saturday intriguing and influential in any persuasive manner? Did someone’s conscience “prick them” as ole people would say? Was there a mood that entertained a change of heart? Did the APNU/AFC finally succumb to the national and international pressure? Did an unannounced “foreign interference” slip through a bird vine? Did reality finally kick in? Did an undisclosed intervention surface to play a deciding role? Did an unknown reason emerge? Finally, was there a unanimous decision among the APNU/AFC to agree to this concession?
It wasn’t a day or time to publicly celebrate yesterday nor is it today. But congratulations are in order to be conveyed to the madam Chair for bringing a successful conclusion to this election process and to the other respective members of the Commission also. Notwithstanding, again, due congratulations is conveyed also to the new President, Dr Irfaan Ali, the new Prime Minister Mr Mark Phillips and the PPP/C. Perhaps, it was not the finest hour for Guyana as the swearing-in ceremony occurred, the 9th President for Guyana and the second from the West Coast of Demerara and the first from the village of Leonora. Because of the sensitive political situation in the country, perhaps the urgency to initiate an immediate swearing-in ceremony had to be performed under not abnormal but realistic circumstances.
The forty-year-old, a Muslim by faith, is a grandson of the late Sakina Mohamed of Leonora, one of the longest and strongest members from the women’s arm of the PPP/C. It was a proud day for Leonora to see a son of the village being sworn in to hold the highest office of the land.
At the swearing-in ceremony of the new President, recognition and cognisance for the contributions from all sources, large or small, especially from the electorate, specifically the national and international community was acknowledged and his heartfelt thanks and appreciation was conveyed. The way is finally paved and cleared to see transparency and accountability becoming effective immediately with a transition team, led by the new Vice President.
Last night, Guyana slept peacefully for the first time in five months and the inauguration ceremony is expected today. Congratulations from around the world are already pouring in. Good luck and best wishes to the PPP/C and the entire Guyana is a winner without a loser as the reality of a marriage of differentiation and integration hits the ground running without a honeymoon.

Respectfully,
Jai Lall