Not surprisingly, all the media houses (excepting the Guyana Times) reported the Appellate Court’s ruling on who has the authority to make fundamental changes to the Constitution, as the “THIRD-TERM” case. Of course, IF THE CCJ ALLOWS IT, the decision means Jagdeo – who’s served two terms as president – is eligible to be a presidential candidate again.
But even at this mundane level of APPLYING the decision, there are other implications. It also means Guyanese citizens who weren’t born in Guyana don’t have to live in Guyana for seven years before they become eligible. This opens up the presidential sweepstakes to the 700,000 Guyanese abroad who can simply apply for their Guyanese passports, (remember if both your parents are Guyanese – so are you!) and run.
And trust this Eyewitness, Ifa Cush isn’t the only “outside” Guyanese who think locals are a bunch of ignorant descendants of slaves and indentures who need “foreign” tutelage. But how come no other media house reports this? Folks who don’t even reside in Guyana on nomination day, can now run – but not a squeak from the media! Ditto for those who became citizens by REGISTRATION: all those naturalised Chinese and Brazilians can now become president. But no other media house reports that, do they?
It’s all about Jagdeo. Why? For the simple reason he’s the APNU/AFC’s worst nightmare when they think about 2020. Even with all their propaganda about the fella, not only has he been a prophet about this Government’s ineptitude, but their own supporters can’t believe their venality and corruption. Even if they can’t bring themselves to put their X’s next to the cup, a whole lot of them will be staying at home come 2020. “Fool me once – shame on you. Fool me twice – shame on ME”, is gonna be their cry!
But we return to real deal (the gravamen?) of the Appellate Court’s decision: Chief Justice Ian Chang’s erudite ruling on the petition that came before him to remind the politicians – that in this country, power or ultimate sovereignty, lies with the people. They call the shots! According to one report, the recently appointed Justice Cummings-Edwards – who dissented from the majority – argued that “the appellant failed to prove the amendment that provides for term limits was unconstitutional”.
But that’s not what Chang said, did he? He said the amendment altered the very nature of the Constitution, which was unalterably REPUBLICAN and as such DEMANDED that such changes be ratified by the SOVEREIGN of Guyana – the people, via a referendum – and not their representatives in the National Assembly.
Power to the people! No dictator!
…on the mayoralty
The Mayor is trying to extract her feet – both of them – from her mouth about her threat to have businesses in Georgetown closed at 4:30 pm (16:00h). And it’s not that the resultant pose is rather inelegant, to say the least – but was probably told that her arrogance is costing the PNC dearly in the credibility sweepstakes. Imagine even Moses Nagamootoo found the spunks to finally utter a squeak against the parking meter scam!
But her (totally uninformed and inaccurate) assertion that the law demands stores must close at 4:30pm just shows the chutzpah of the Gang of Four, who’ve been allowed to interpret the law to their own whims and fancy. The Parking Contract speaks for itself!! She was simply trying to stick it to the business community that came out against the PNC-green Parking Meters, which was supposed to be her gravy train for the next two decades.
Her threat emanated from pure spite and bile!
…appointing SARA’s director
In addition to the National Assembly being constitutionally incompetent to ratify Act 17, they also have no appointive power.
The PNC stipulating in the Bill that the Assembly appoint the Director of SARA is just to hoodwink the gullible to think SARA will be monitored!
The PNC controls the Assembly!!
