Judicial arm has invalidated a resolution passed and certified in Legislature

Dear Editor,
In the last three months, since the successful passage of the no-confidence motion by the National Assembly, there has been much talk about the need for “maturity” in Guyanese politics.
In watching Acting President Carl Greenidge address the nation to explain the consequences of the ruling of the Court of Appeal in the no-confidence matters, I saw a politician stand and deliver pronouncements that suggest that the judicial arm of Government has invalidated a resolution on a motion passed and certified in the Legislature.
This is a legal impossibility; why then has the Leader of the Opposition not challenged this assertion?
The answer lies in Bharrat Jagdeo’s maturity. Political maturity encompasses being aware of the correct time and location to behave and knowing when to act according to the circumstances and the culture of the society one lives in and correctness of responses based on the principle that the welfare of the people is paramount.
Jagdeo is well aware of the tensions that exist in the country due to the intransigence of the Granger Administration.
The blatant refusal to accept the rule of law is beyond comprehension of the few who understand the issues, and I say the few because there has been a massive campaign of disinformation by the Directorate of public information that has led to a truly confused populace. It takes great strength of mind to withstand the notions of half-men and legal ‘magic-mathics’.
Jagdeo has not raised the issue because of his pragmatic approach to the welfare of all Guyanese. What good could come from the insistence on the academic nature of the court challenges when the Government is trumpeting that the NCM has been “invalidated”.
The mature thing to do is to recognise the ruling of the court, accept the impracticality and danger of further exacerbating tensions by contradicting Greenidge and move to have the ruling overturned in the final court, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). This is maturity in politics.
The number of persons who understand the implications of this breach of the sacrosanct separation of powers doctrine can be fit into a small room to the left of the unreasonable.
Carl Greenidge made his address as Acting President with full knowledge that the Court of Appeal upheld the decision of the Chief Justice that persons holding dual citizenship cannot sit as members of Parliament, that is, act as President or sit in the National Assembly.
In flagrant contempt of the law, Greenidge, a dual-citizen, clearly refuses to abide by one ruling of the court while misleading citizens on the other. This is immaturity in politics.
No dual-citizen of the Granger Administration in Parliament has even indicated an acknowledgement of the rulings of the court, although sought and obtained by their Cabinet colleague, Attorney General Basil Williams.
Is Williams going to uphold the law and seek contempt of court changes for Messrs? Harmon, Greenidge et al? Stirred up by the actions of Charrandas Persaud, the people genuinely want an end to dual-citizens as representatives in the National Assembly. Williams has had eight weeks to do so and has failed to act. That is immaturity in politics.
Chief Whip of the PPP/C, Gail Teixeira has made clear statements that she will vacate her seat when Parliament reconvenes and expects to be replaced by a person on her party’s list, along with any other dual-citizens currently seated in Parliament. That is maturity in politics.

Respectfully,
Robin Singh