Dear Editor,
Former President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo said he would suspend his presidential immunity if Granger did the same. What Jagdeo was saying is that he wants the sitting president – Granger — to do the honest thing and turn up at SOCU and answer questions pertaining to various actions in his presidency.
The key word here is reciprocity. If this PNC/AFC Coalition Government is serious about fighting corruption, or anything for that matter, then they, too, must go through the same torrid test as is the Opposition.
The PNC-led coalition is very dicey and highly fearful when they are posed with searching questions about their management or lack thereof when in or out of office. Theirs is a “don’t ask me any questions” full stop end of discussion attitude. The maturity and openness that the PPP/C has demonstrated before SOCU so far is something that will never be seen from the present powers that be.
But this is not the first time the Opposition has been called in for questioning, which they gracefully acceded to. One can recall the honourable Jagdeo being hauled before the court on charges of racial incitement.
In that instance, he turned up for the matter in Magistrate Charlyn Artiga’s court to answer charges of racial incitement.
Here’s my point: The PNC always harp on the tune that the PPP/C always hide behind the presidential immunity clause, and that is the reason why they are getting away from prosecution.
This is furthest from the truth, the PPP would willingly like to get to that point, only if the PNC would do likewise. There is no guarantee that they would ever do such. The PNC is all about witch-hunting the PPP/C into incarceration, as it perfectly suits their agenda; only, let them not face the same music. Their mantra is: try to get the PPP out of the picture, so that they can have full reign over this country; only, don’t let us (PNC) be subjected to any scrutiny at all.
They have done it at National Elections, where a recount of all fraudulent voting cannot be effectuated. They have done it again in Parliament, where they have albeit muzzled healthy debate on matters pertaining to the well-being of this country. The trickery is on right now in the ghost selection for personnel for Local Government Elections 2018. The PNC/AFC are doing their level best to subvert every norm, every law there is that makes for good, successful and smooth governance.
The framers of the laws of Guyana, where presidents and their parties are in Government, were of the mistaken belief that they would be in power for life, and that the PPP would never be able to enjoy those privileges they were entitled to. That was Burnham’s firm belief; that is why he framed that 1980 Constitution, the essence of it was that they (PNC) alone would have reaped the rewards of it. It is their mistaken belief that the Opposition would never ever come into Government. For this very same reason, you would have heard them make that cry for a reform of the Constitution. That call was most vociferous when the PNC were in the opposition; however, quite noticeably, it is not a rallying cry right now, because they are the recipients of the 1980 Constitution. I can guarantee you this issue would be resurrected if they were to lose at the next general elections.
The problem with the PNC is that they would like the law to work one way, and that is: to their advantage only. Well, they are ever so wrong. The law, as it stands, is for all, not to be used at the whims and fancies of any political group.
Respectfully,
Neil Adams
