Opposition condemns Patterson’s threats after boycott

…says it’s a “Burnhamesque” way of silencing political opponents

Alliance For Change (AFC) General Secretary David Patterson’s threats to investigate and lay charges against former government officials is the latest to be denounced by the Parliamentary Opposition, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).

Following Thursday’s boycott of President David Granger’s address to the National Assembly, Patterson took to his Facebook Page to express concerns over this move by the Opposition, which he deemed disrespectful.
Patterson, who holds the post of Public Infrastructure Minister posted, “I have mixed feelings on the natural consequences of this boycott – on one hand I am sadden that the opposition will be boycotting one of the main advocates for greater inclusion of the opposition in the affairs of Government, the voices of the liberals will now be drowned out.”
He then indicated that this boycott has added new vigour for Government to hunt and prosecute past government officials for corruption.
“What happens next is entirety due to the opposition’s actions today – the kid gloves will be taken off, since an unwritten line will be crossed – the actions which the general public have been demanding (punishment for crimes of corruption) will go into a higher gear, building of cases against alleged corrupt officials will now be at the forefront – actions which I support – by this boycott, it will strengthen the efforts…” Patterson posted.
But the PPP/C said this behaviour displayed by Minister Patterson is reminiscent of the “Burnhamesque” ways of silencing political opponents.
“If there was any…Patterson, removed all doubts…with a threatening rant on Facebook, which shows his incapability of understanding the various forms of protest in a democracy, and most likely reflecting his Government’s similar inabilities and views,” outlined a statement from the Office of the Opposition Leader.
The PPP/C then equated Patterson’s remarks to recent threats made by controversial US Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump.
“This can be likened to Donald Trump’s recent threat to jail his political opponent, Hillary Clinton, if he were to win the Presidency – a threat that all right minded lovers of democracy denounced in no easy terms,” the Party noted.
Nonetheless, the Party posited that it will continue to stand with and represent the people of Guyana without fear or favour. “The PPP/C has withstood the worst of the Burnham years, where jailing and the killing political opponents were the norm. Like then, the PPP/C will not be silenced now.”
Moreover, the Party called on the international community to take note of the threats made by the AFC General Secretary.