The President would never breach the Constitution by unilaterally appointing Chief Justice, Chancellor

Dear Editor,
I wish to respond to a letter dated Thursday, 2 June 2022 that appeared in a section of the media under the authorship of Tacuma Ogunseye. It is titled “Norton has to respond by a show of equal will”.
Firstly, President Irfaan Ali is so far known for respecting and abiding by the laws of Guyana. I believe that he has done nothing wrong with his appointment of the Integrity and Police Service Commissions, since they were appointed according to the letter and spirit of the Constitution, and after consultations with Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton.
It is not the President’s or Government’s fault that Norton did not respond initially, or could not find time to meet again to wrap up that round of consultation. There were several issues spanning staff promotions, disciplinary matters, and other things that warranted the urgent swearing-in of the Commissions. In any case, the PSC has not been functional since August of last year, and the Integrity Commission has not been functional since February last year.
Respecting the Constitution and democracy means moving the process along and appointing the Commission now, so that there would be a smooth flow and continuity in governance in Guyana.
I think Norton can respond in any way that he feels necessary via the court to contest what he sees as wrongdoing. He will have to tread very cautiously, because this time is not like the post 2015-era. The public knows when the politicians are serious about constitutional issues, or are engaged in politics for cheap political points. President Ali would never repeat former President Granger’s embarrassing mistakes and errors, as in when he appointed Justice Patterson to the post of GECOM Chairman, or challenged the election results at the CCJ, despite losing to the PPP.
Secondly, I believe President Ali would never unilaterally appoint a Chief Justice and Chancellor to office without the Opposition’s agreement. He does not think like the political pundits in the opposition APNU/PNC/AFC.
I believe that only when there is an explicit agreement by both parties, and when there is electoral and constitutional reform, would the President appoint a Chief Justice and Chancellor.
Ogunseye is trying to work up the Opposition constituency by suggesting otherwise. I am bold enough to call him out and challenge this misleading and confounded whimsical theory that he has brewed up out of thin air. Politicians must cease getting our people worked up. Tell the truth, and tell it fearlessly!
Finally, I do not want to be sucked into responding to the other purely political things that he has buttered in his letter. They are unworthy of response, because they are not true.
Ogunseye may want to call on every Guyanese, including his little support base, to join the PPP Government’s job drive ad get employed either permanently or temporarily.
He might consider using his time more wisely, by asking fishermen or miners to go and get the Government’s cash grants.
He might call on all persons who, for a year, had matters pending before the Integrity and Police Commissions to be alert now, because those are now fully commissioned.
Good governance does not require a matching or equal collective response to make it work according to the Constitution. It does not require violence or fear-mongering. It does not require strategy or protest.
It does require good leadership, excellent decision-making, unbiased political will, and constitutional compliance for it to work.
Politicians with common sense are a rarity, and would understand that!

Yours truly,
Michael Younge