Dear Editor,
In the public polemics on the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry, the question of the timing is often raised. Writers and commentators have expressed the view that the PPP/C is seeking electoral advantage.
While there is merit in the observation, I have not seen to date any serious analyses to demonstrate how this will play out in the real world of elections.
My judgement is that the findings of the inquiry would have little or no effect on how Africans vote in upcoming elections; if that is taken as a given then the concern is with the Indian, Amerindian and the mixed race voters. I don’t see the voting pattern of the Amerindians affected by the findings of the commission, since they will vote based on their local interests. Admittedly it is harder to judge the mixed race group’s political behaviour; however, I am not convinced that the commission’s report will have any significant influence how this group will vote.
The Indian community from the day of Walter Rodney’s assassination shared the WPA contention that Walter was killed by agents carrying out Burnham’s instructions. What the PNCR seems to be saying is that the “mud” being thrown at that party will have the effect of frightening disaffected Indian PPP/C voters forcing them to return to that party. This logic is based on the historical fear Indians have for the PNCR. If we take this as given then the PNCR’s conduct as it relates to the inquiry is more important than the commission’s findings.
So far Mr Basil Williams, PNCR Chairman; and Mr David Granger, PNCR and APNU Leader are the best allies of the PPP/C. Indians will judge the PNCR not on what Burnham did 50 years ago, but rather on how they perceive the present leadership’s attitude to Burnham’s excesses. To present Burnham and the PNCR as ‘sin-less’ is politically counterproductive.
Yours faithfully,
Tacuma Ogunseye
