…a sinking PNC?
The expression “leaving a sinking ship” has been around for centuries – starting out with the more pointed “like rats leaving a sinking ship”. Back when all ships were wooden contraptions – even the ones like Columbus’ that attempted to cross oceans with waves higher than their masts – sinking ships were quite common. And fatal!! It was noticed that rats – which were standard non-paying passengers in the holds of these ships – somehow were able to sense in the nick of time – when a ship would sink. And would rush en masse on deck to then plunge into the waters to save themselves!!
So while some may’ve thought being compared to “rats leaving a sinking ship” was somewhat disparaging (“rats” and all that!) it wasn’t really. Rats just had an early warning system that gave them an edge to survive treacherous waters!! The expression came to your Eyewitness’ attention when it was used to describe one of the rising stars in the PNC – Jermaine Figueira – handing in his (rather terse) resignation to PNC chief Aubrey Norton.
Now, against a background of a steady stream of departures from the party since Pressy announced that General Elections were scheduled for Sept 1, the news wasn’t really unexpected to your Eyewitness. Figueira was a high-profile PNC MP from Reg 10, who’d taken a rather independent position from his party in representing his constituency’s interests. But more significant was his early signal that he’d do things “his way” when he shook Pressie’s hand at a time when his party leader Norton had truculently refused to do so!! Was he deliberately showing up his party leader? Or was he just well-mannered and was observing the forms??
Now as we saw, rats leave ships because those ships are doomed. So it would appear they’re rather prudent since even the captain isn’t expected to go down to Davy Jones Locker – but merely be the last one to jump!! So has Figueira sensed the PNC is doomed in the coming elections?? One report on social media claimed he wasn’t placed on the PNC’s list of candidates. If this is true he may be merely reacting to his snubbing – and not necessarily leaving a sinking ship. It’s widely considered that while the PNC may take in some water, it retains enough core support to ensure it’s gonna stay afloat!!
So the question that arises is whether he’s “jumped ship”!! This totally different expression suggests he might be leaving the PNC for ANOTHER party where his prospects might be better!! The PPP? That is, while the PNC might remain afloat, it mightn’t be able to reach shore to capture the government – and thus be handing out ministries and outriders and suchlike!!
Get out your popcorn!!
…a rigging stench
With all the comings and goings in and out of parties for the Sept 1 elections, the ongoing trial of GECOM and PNC officials for attempting to rig the 2020 elections seemed to’ve slipped under the radar!! And this is a travesty because some of these PNC officials are in place for the coming elections – and we don’t have to guess as to what they’ll be doing after the PNC loses once again!!
Apart from RO Mingo switching from spreadsheets (containing fake figures in PNC’s favour rather than original SOPs as mandated) on the order of the CJ to (soiled) bedsheets with blurred, unreadable images of SOPS, the behaviour of one PNC rep was graphically described by the ANUG Rep. “She began threatening Ms. Pauline Chase, (an observer) saying she would stomp on her face!! She also threatened to spit on Mr. Hinds (another observer) and directed similar abuse at others in the room.”
And imagine the PNC lawyer was allowed an end- July delay!! A conspiracy of silence?
…the formalities
In 2021 – as PNC/APNU floundered for survival – JFAP coalition partner MP Jailall Sharma had to quit his party. He promptly launched the Equal Rights and Justice Party (ERJP). He’s resurfaced to question whether the elections date was “proclaimed”!
