Dear Editor,
I want to fully endorse the sentiments of Mr. Maxwell in his recent letter to Stabroek News, namely that the leadership of the AFC jettison Mr. Nigel Hughes from the party. It is my humble opinion that Mr. Hughes has been an unmitigated disaster for the AFC. The PPP’s Achilles heel has been corruption and the AFC has positioned itself as the anti-PPP, i.e. a party that would be held to a higher standard. Mr. Hughes has made a complete mockery of that claim and is now threatening the AFC’s tenuous grasp of its electorate.
Right now, Mr. Hughes is in full damage control mode and in that regard he appears completely tone-deaf. No sign of contrition here, not an ounce of humility. The learned counsel is all abristle with his sense of self-importance and entitlement. However, he has singularly failed to address the relevant issues. Rather, he has sought refuge using the crafts of his profession – non-sequiturs, obfuscation and diversion.
Worse yet, are the complete silence of his champions, in particular, one newspaper columnist who has clearly shown a severe lapse in credibility and judgement. This columnist had the temerity to compare Mr. Hughes to the late lamented Walter Rodney, a clear case of fawning overreach. Yet, not a single word or line on Mr. Hughes ethical digressions. Yet the said columnist will wax ad nauseam on the sins of government, big business, Bollywood, etc.
The point that will totally escape Mr. Hughes is that now that he has inserted himself in the political arena, this is all about perception. Legal niceties and snide put-downs will not cut it. Mr. Hughes should not have become embroiled in this litany of controversial situations – Sithe Global, Lusignan trial, Mae’s school. The pattern is disturbingly relentless. The man is damaged goods and the AFC has to do the manly thing and cut him loose. The consequences for the country could be disastrous – namely, the return of a PPP majority in parliament. Surely, the good lawyer is not worth that.
Yours faithfully,
(Name and address supplied)
