The opposition PPP today accused the APNU+AFC government of conducting a state-sponsored campaign characterized by brazen and outright lies and vilification of the former PPP/C administration and its Ministers.
In a press statement, the PPP cited what it said was a daily litany of false statements and stories in the media alleging stolen and misspent sums and it also took aim at the state-owned Guyana Chronicle which had been seen as one its key allies prior to the change in government.
The PPP statement follows:
The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) notes with interest the big masquerade embarked upon by the AFC/APNU Coalition aimed at creating the impression that it is “investigating” and putting to right” wrong doings” committed by the PPP/C administration.
Ever since assuming office dismissals of government officials /public servants have been legion and the “discoveries and investigations” of so-called wrong-doings almost daily. As far as the PPP is concerned, these actions by the Coalition are tantamount to political head hunting and forensic sleuthing. And that is precisely where the danger is. All these highly publicized actions are being taken without any just cause, any police investigations, any involvement of the Office of the Auditor General or the relevant Constitutional body nor production of any incontrovertible evidence. These actions are in essence; arbitrary, vindictive, malicious and politically motivated aimed at bringing the persons affected and the agencies they once headed into disrepute and by extension, to cast them, unjustly so as” corrupt wrong-doers.”. Coupled with these actions at the political level, sections of the media namely the Chronicle, Kaieteur News and the Stabroek News and Inews have happily and profitably joined the band wagon by feeding their readers with a daily diet of these juicy and sensational stories without any attempt at being objective, fair and balanced in their reporting. The situation has become so ridiculous and nauseating that government ministers instead of briefing cabinet on their “discoveries” and, following discussion, a determination made on how the matter will be addressed routinely picks up the phone and calls a newspaper to report his or her “discovery of a wrong-doing”. A trial then commences in the media, based on suspicions which are given credence in the absence of due process and inconclusive evidence.
The truth is that while in opposition the AFC/APNU Coalition made all sorts of allegations about corruption and wrong-doings committed by the PPP/C while in government but they never presented any evidence to prove a case however, now they are in a position to do so they have failed miserably and have opted for a highly publicized campaign about investigating “wrong-doings and corrupt practices”.
Already, there is much chatter about setting up a “State Assets Recovery Unit” to recover assets allegedly syphoned off to unknown destinations by unknown persons( recall the nonsense about $500b being syphoned off from a $200b economy) Then there was the “expose” about “billions missing from the Petro-Caribe Fund” – another big lie demolished by the PPP in a recent statement . More recently, there was an announcement to the effect that “forensic audits are to be carried out at several state agencies.”.
Now in government, the AFC/APNU Coalition is like a dog chasing its tail having started the talk while in the opposition about ” corruption and wrong-doings” they are now, for all the wrong reasons carrying out a witch-hunt and forensic sleuthing to prove themselves right. And the way to go about doing it is to lend their ears to their sycophants and soup-drinkers who waste no time to dish up all kinds of fanciful stories which is music the ears of their principals.
In the circumstances, It is the view of the PPP that the Coalition have now become victims of their own propaganda.
The PPP condemns this state-sponsored campaign characterized by brazen and outright lies and vilification of the former PPP/C administration and its Ministers. Few will deny that a witch-hunt reminiscent of the McCarthy era in the United States is now moving fast and furious in Guyana and the main targets are those persons who, while employed by the PPP/C government openly exercised their Constitutional Right to Freedom of Association and Expression and who were discharging the lawful policies of the government of the day.
It is now clear that the “good life” which the Coalition so proudly speaks about is not for members and supporters of the PPP/C but exclusively for the members and supporters of the AFC/APNU. The PPP rejects this blatant discriminatory policy practiced by the Coalition. It openly contradicts the call by the Coalition for the PPP to enter into talks with the AFC/APNU on issues of national unity and shared governance.
The PPP wishes to make it clear that it will not be duped into entering in any such engagement at a time when its members and supporters are under attack by the political hierarchy of the Coalition and its underlings.
People’s Progressive Party
Freedom House
Monday, June 15, 2015
