Latest update May 4th, 2024 12:59 AM
Jan 26, 2011 Letters
Dear Editor,
On Friday January 21, 2011 the Demerara Waves online news item captioned “PNCR presidential candidate would head candidates’ list; merging top positions on the cards”, attributed some serious definitive positions to the Presidential Candidate hopefuls.
These positions are with regard to matters of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) and of which, I believed, if not addressed are likely to create much confusion in the minds of members, supporters and the wider Guyanese public.
The news item was based on a reporting of one of the PNCR’s Presidential Candidates Town Hall Meetings held on Friday 21, 2011 at St. George’s Secondary School, Georgetown.
According to the report, the candidates have stated the following;
1. The Presidential Candidate will be the Opposition Leader if the party loses the 2011 elections.
2. The party is expected to make arrangements at its next biennial congress due before year-end, for the Opposition Leader and party leader to be the same office holder.
3. Corbin has given a commitment that he would not be running for the position party leader again.
4. As the presidential nominee candidate, one will have the opportunity to become the leader of the party.
Let me start out by congratulating the candidates for first accepting the nomination to contest for the PNCR presidential candidate position. At this juncture of our nation’s history Guyana needs a leader who has that ability, talent and skill to attract the best and brightest of us to rescue this nation from the abyss in which the PPPC has plunged us.
I believe that you each must see yourself as possessing those qualities capable of attracting the requisite human capital needed to promote the well-being and interest of all Guyanese, and to take Guyana to heights where its full potential will unfold to a point where all Guyanese will benefit.
Guyanese look forward for the PNCR to rescue it and your leadership here will be critical. The fact that Guyanese everywhere are turning out in their numbers to these meetings must say a lot to all of us.
People are crying out for real change; our children need hope and a visions to hold on to, the PNCR has the opportunity to provide same.
I will now return to deal with the issues identified above, and wish firstly, to state that as a Central Executive Member of the PNCR I am not aware that any of the positions stated were discussed and decided upon by that body. I am also not aware that at the last General Council Meeting, which I attended, that any of the positions stated above was decided on.
On point number three, where it was stated that Mr. Corbin would have given a commitment that he would not be running for the position of party leader again, I believed that the same misinterpretation that has been attributed to Mr. Corbin’s statement that “he will not be party leader for life” was again made here.
Quite often, this comment has been taken out of context, whether inadvertently or not, by many who fail to appreciate the words in their literal sense.
Political opponents and some critics of Mr. Corbin have consistently used this line, in their own, skewed context to deliberately injure his reputation. Unless the person to whom this stated position was attributed advances other definitive evidence to refute that his views were not based on this usual statement by Mr. Corbin I will hold firm to my position.
On the last point it is fair to say that the Presidential Candidate like any other party member can compete for the office of party leader. There is nothing barring the candidate or a member from vying for this office.
However, there is no party policy, written or implied, which expouses that the next party leader will be limited to the belief that one ought to have been a presidential candidate. It is also not accurate to paint a picture that the opportunity to become the party leader impinges on that person being a presidential candidate.
If this was the case then we would have effectively put a dent in the inherent nature of democracy in our party.
I wish to remind all of us that none of these positions identified above, except for number 3, can come to fruition unless they are sanctioned by the party members, who have the power to make these changes. Any attempt to create and impression that these critical decisions were made without their involvement is likely to invite confusion and rancor. Therefore, it is incumbent upon all of us to be mindful of comments which we might feel compel to make because we think it ‘politically correct’ or expedient to do so.
Let us, forever, be respectful and appreciative of public comments and sentiments without sacrificing the aims, objects and principles enshrined in the party’s constitution. Let us be wise and use the overwhelming guidance, support and suggestions of the public to skillfully and tactfully revolutionize or institute meaningful changes in our party.
Let us not fall prey to the agenda and programme of some, by merely playing to their tune. History has told us that very often many of these persons might not have the best interest of the PNCR at heart.
I recalled an individual stating recently, that “we aren’t hearing too much infighting in the PNC; and asked, what’s wrong?” I guess we provide circus, fun and gaff for some. I therefore wish to caution all of us to be responsible as we have no time to provide circus for some nor can we afford to create unnecessary confusion and rancor among the membership.
Guyana awaits real change, Guyana awaits a PNCR government. We can only achieve this if we keep the focus and march together under the same banner, united and strong.
I wish each candidate the best of health and God’s richest blessings. When all is done let us each be reminded that we all are leaders, only one, though, can emerge from the process.
Lurlene Nestor
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