Jagdeo slams WPA, PNC for treating Afro-Guyanese as “vote bank”

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo issued a blistering condemnation of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) and the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), accusing them of shamelessly exploiting Afro-Guyanese for political gain while offering them little in return.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Jagdeo charged that these opposition parties have long treated Afro-Guyanese as a mere “vote bank” rather than valuing them as individuals with aspirations and intelligence.
He also denounced recent inflammatory remarks made by WPA member David Hinds, who referred to Afro-Guyanese supporters of the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) using derogatory slurs such as “house slaves” and “lick bottoms”.
Jagdeo, echoing concerns previously raised by President Irfaan Ali and Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Minister Gail Teixeira, slammed Hinds’ comments as “disgusting”, and criticised Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton for failing to condemn such divisive rhetoric.
“The WPA and the PNC treat Afro-Guyanese as though they are unthinking, easily-manipulated individuals,” said Jagdeo. “They believe these people will blindly follow them without considering the broader issues or their own self-interest.
“This is not a new thing for the PNC, they leave people and hang them out to dry. They push them to do things for political purposes and hang them out to dry, never will defend their people,” he added.

Opportunities over allegiance
Jagdeo highlighted the growing economic empowerment of Afro-Guyanese across the country, pointing to an increasing number of small businesses owned by Afro-Guyanese securing Government contracts. He emphasised that their support for the PPP/C is not an act of betrayal, but rather a strategic decision to pursue economic and social opportunities.
“These individuals are not ‘selling out,’” Jagdeo asserted. “They are smart, capable individuals making informed decisions for their future… Now people are busy getting a job if they don’t have one, they can find one because there’re opportunities. They’re busy trying to get house lot, they’re busy trying to get a scholarship, they want to do things to change their lives.”

Historical betrayal of Afro-Guyanese interests
Jagdeo also criticised the WPA for its historical contradictions, recalling its betrayal of the late Dr Walter Rodney, a renowned scholar and political activist who was assassinated under the PNC-led Government in June 1980.
“David Hinds and his WPA colleagues have a history of betraying their own people,” Jagdeo stated. “They turned their backs on Walter Rodney, a man who sacrificed everything to stand against dictatorship. Today, they conveniently forget that part of history while they continue to mislead the Afro-Guyanese community.”
He further lambasted Hinds for his lack of advocacy when the APNU/AFC coalition, which the WPA was part of, was in power between 2015 and 2020.
“David Hinds had a cushy job during the last government,” Jagdeo said. “But did he once speak up for the Afro-Guyanese community? What did he do when the APNU Government took away children’s grants?” he quizzed.
“Why would anyone want to align themselves with a party that has done nothing for them? People have choices. They are not sell-outs – they are simply making smart choices. They are looking for opportunities, not racism or oppression,” Jagdeo said.
On this point, he made it clear that the PPP/C Government is focused on fostering unity and progress rather than perpetuating racial divisions.
He urged Afro-Guyanese to recognise the tactics of the Opposition and continue making decisions based on opportunity and growth rather than fear and manipulation.