Guyana deserves better than politics of sabotage and division being pushed by APNU

Dear Editor,
I refer to the letter by Mr Ubraj Narine dated August 7th, 2025, in which he defended APNU’s refusal to sign the Ethnic Relations Commission’s (ERC) Code of Conduct for the 2025 elections. Far from being a principled stand, this refusal once again reveals APNU’s true intentions for the election period and the days after.
On August 3rd, 2025, a video featuring Mr Aubrey Norton was widely circulated on social media via his public Facebook page. In the video, he stated that he told the European Union observers that if the PPP rig the elections, “they won’t like the outcome.” He also sought to promote the false narrative that the only way the PPP could win is through rigging. This is not a matter of suspicion or debate; it is a deliberate political strategy aimed at undermining the credibility of the elections and setting the stage for APNU to reject the results. APNU knows that a PPP victory in 2025 is imminent. After watching that video, it becomes even clearer why APNU would not commit to the Code of Conduct, as they are already preparing to reject the results and cause unrest.
The refusal to sign the Code of Conduct is therefore not about distrust of the ERC, as Mr Narine tries to convey. It is about APNU avoiding a public commitment to peace, respect for the law, and acceptance of the democratic process.
This is the same kind of pre-election posture that in the past led to the destruction of property, the intimidation of communities, and the division of our society under the PNC, now APNU banner. International observer missions are already in Guyana in large numbers, and they are well aware of the history of political unrest instigated when APNU does not get the electoral outcome it wants.
Mr Norton’s words in the August 3rd, 2025 video are not the language of unity. When Ubraj Narine says he supports APNU’s refusal to sign the Code of Conduct, it aligns him fully with Mr Norton’s destabilising approach, likely in the hope of securing personal political relevance and possibly an APNU seat in Parliament.
Even APNU’s own leaders and supporters have recognised the party’s decline under Aubrey Norton. The likes of Amanza Walton-Desir and Simona Broomes have both walked away, as the party continues on its self-destructive path. APNU’s once loyal support has steadily eroded, as its sparsely-attended rallies and public meetings clearly indicate.
It is evident to anyone honest and in tune with the realities of Guyana today that there has been transformation in every sector, from infrastructure to education, job creation, and industry, benefiting Guyanese of all ethnicities.
The opportunities available today are unmatched in our country’s history. Training, scholarships, business support, and expanded services are accessible to anyone willing to take advantage of them. As the saying goes, “You can give a man a fish and feed him for a day, or you can teach a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime.” The PPP’s record shows it is equipping citizens to build sustainable livelihoods, regardless of race or political background. Yet APNU continues to cry marginalisation and victimisation of Afro-Guyanese, clinging to the outdated notion that they alone speak for African Guyanese. The truth is evident in the PPP’s broad support base, which spans every ethnic group, because people from all communities can point to tangible improvements in their lives and the lives of their families.
In refusing to sign the Code of Conduct, APNU is not taking a moral stand; it is signalling that it does not intend to commit to peace, lawfulness, or acceptance of the democratic process. One would expect that, as a religious leader, Ubraj Narine would want to uphold the principles of Shanti, Ahimsa, and Dharma, which are core tenets of his faith that promote peace, non-violence, and ethical conduct. Yet he places politics above his religion by refusing to sign a Code of Conduct that is fully consistent with the principles of his faith and with the principles of all religions in our dear country.
Guyana deserves better than the politics of sabotage and division being pushed by APNU.

Yours sincerely,
Ron Smith