“Enough is enough” – APNU coalition partner JFAP concedes defeat

…says Guyanese exhausted, suffering

The Justice For All Party (JFAP), one of the parties within the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), has become the first coalition party to concede defeat and break away from the coalition’s denial of its loss at the March 2 General and Regional Elections.

On Friday evening, JFAP founder CN Sharma made it clear that enough is enough and it is time Guyana moves on. He chastised those bent on dragging out the process and extended congratulations to the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) on their win.
“With that being said, an election has taken place under the watchful eyes of local and international observers. A National Recount was carried out under the eyes of Caricom. All votes were counted. There is a clear winner. The recount shows that the PPP/C has won the election,” the statement from the JFAP said.
Sharma in his statement said that Dr Irfaan Ali should be allowed to be sworn in without delay. “I am appealing to the persons who are determined on delaying the process of a declaration; It has been an exhausting 108 days for all the sons and daughters of this nation. Enough is enough I say! It is time for Guyana to move on!”
Sharma reminded that Guyanese are suffering due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the country needs a fully constituted Government that can make decisions for the good of Guyana. He noted that whether they stand on the majority or minority, they are all Guyanese.
“Guyana is a democratic country where our people have the freedom to vote, freedom to elect a new Government every 5 years and interestingly enough, our people have the freedom to be disappointed in the outcome of an election too,” Sharma said.
He pointed out that Guyanese are starving and suffering due to unemployment caused by the pandemic. “The country needs its Government to make decisions. This is a time we must be strong and stand together. I simply cannot remain silent on this any longer – my love for country is unwavering.”
Sharma also spoke about his motivations in entering politics and recalled his background on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD), to his entry into politics. According to him, his concern for Guyana and making a positive difference in society has always been his motivator.
“20 years ago, turning to the world of Guyana politics was unavoidable. Voices were being highlighted but action was necessary. A little party – with a big voice, I pushed ahead to make a difference in our society, in my country Guyana,” Sharma also said in his statement.
“I faced many ups and downs along the way… But my will, my patriotism and my love for country never once wavered! The last 5 years the JFAP joined the coalition APNU/AFC Government to make a difference for Guyanese and to help the poor and often voiceless people of Guyana. For this, we are thankful for the opportunity to have been able to serve.”
In the run-up to this year’s election, Sharma’s son and caretaker Junior Public Infrastructure Minister Jaipaul Sharma had broken away from his father’s party and had joined the People’s National Congress (PNC) list.
In a landmark decision, retired Justice Singh had decided on Tuesday last to use the results from the recently concluded recount and have the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) declared the winner of the 2020 General and Regional Elections, a declaration overdue by over three months.
At one point during the Commission’s deliberations, APNU/AFC Commissioners Vincent Alexander, Charles Corbin and Desmond Trotman had made an attempt to have the entire elections scrapped.
However, the motion was defeated and Justice Singh wrote Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield to have him deliver the final report. This would have allowed for a declaration of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) as the winners of the elections, the party having won by 15,416 votes over its main rival APNU/AFC. Instead, Lowenfield failed to fulfil his constitutional duty and did not deliver the report. In addition, APNU/AFC-appointed Commissioners Trotman and Corbin absented themselves from Thursday’s meeting, resulting in GECOM failing to have a quorum.
APNU/AFC supporter, Eslyn David, who inexplicably had a battery of lawyers representing her that included Mayo Robertson, also filed a court case on Thursday seeking to block the declaration. The case continues today before Appeals Court Judges Rishi Persaud, Dawn Gregory and Brassington Reynolds.
Caretaker President David Granger had a clandestine meeting with APNU/AFC officials on Wednesday at State House. Among those he met were AFC leader and former Prime Ministerial hopeful Khemraj Ramjattan and Cathy Hughes.
While the coalition has not publicly conceded defeat despite clear evidence that they lost the elections, there have been reports of various Ministers clearing out their effects in preparation for a transition of power.