Concerning attorney Nigel Hughes
The coward in me – recognising when I’ll be “out-of-my-depth” – frequently advises that I stay away from contentious national issues which dozens of others eagerly address daily. Especially political matters.
But I was actually once very “political” at election times and in between. Then in 2015 I did vote for his Excellency and Comrade Moses. Not because I thought too highly of them. My matured citizen’s conscience had had enough of Jagdeo’s outfit and its excesses. So that vote gives me the right to express critical opinions when I perceive “stupidness” by the coalition’s representatives.
As I asked last Friday: what first assailed thinking of the government members of parliament, its ministers and most senior functionaries when the rogue MP voted for the No-Confidence Motion? The 2019 budget and its appropriations had just been passed. Projects were/are planned to deliver Minister Jordan’s good life for all (??) Oil and gas revenues are set to deliver millions in say three or four years. So just what did government leaders mourn more? The thought that their policies, programmes and plans would not be executed for our greater good? That they will see their status, their earnings, their future and power aborted so suddenly? That their more personal plans for self-improvement are now under threat? That they are not even certain of future political triumphs at the polls —- given PPP wins just last November?
My point is a question: are government leaders genuinely concerned that their developmental plans are now in jeopardy? Or is the loss of authority, opportunity, power more pivotal to their concerns? What do you – dear citizen, dear voter, think?
Remember too that all of the Honourable members of the Parliament’s Assembly find it easier to get favours from business houses; to get bank loans; to get firearm licences; to get VIP treatment at the international airports; to get medical treatment and their children’s education abroad; and yes, to get visitor’s visas to preferred destinations more easily than you who voted for them or their Party in the first place.
A reasonable parliamentary pension is assured but for many government MP’s three years is too short a period to “serve.” So for those souls 33 must not be more than 32! Understood?
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“Can’t be bought?
Not for sale?”
PNCR chairman Volda was dramatically emphatic before the vote. She recorded her belief that no member on the APNU/AFC side could have been “bought”, as they are not “for sale.” Poor Chairperson.
Up to the time this is being written I’ve heard or seen no solid proof that the AFC Berbician was paid for his yes vote. But who knows? Older folks or earlier generations always cautioned: “Everyman has his price!” Who says a PNC or AFC back bencher can’t succumb to huge monetary offers or a Minister” wuck”?
Does Chairperson Volda or Vice-President Moses know that honourable Charrandas was probably not the lone member who planned to jump ship? For amongst the raft of rumours attending the vote was one from an “insider” who mentioned that two others were prepared to abandon their party! How true? Don’t ask me. As Charrandas’ name was before the others he held firm. So knowing that 33 would do the job the others were happy to remain secret, anonymous. After all, the rumour expanded, the risks were great; the inducements might not have outlasted the security of remaining an honourable member. What honour? Can’t be bought? Gimme a break!
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Vice- President Moses, Attorney Hughes
Two interesting gentlemen of national recognition they are. When Moses Nagamootoo was admiring Castro and Guevera as an avid young Turk in the Progressive Youth Organisation and wearing garb looking like Che`, Minister Hughes was probably just deciding on a career, influenced by his dad.
The politics of opportunity thrust Comrade Moses into the third party of Nigel Hughes, PNC-at-heart Raphael and maverick Khemraj Ramjattan. His status and image was great for the Coalition’s President/Prime Minister ticket and the grouping scraped through in May 2015 to result in the emergence of First Vice-President Nagamootoo.
But now I spare a mixed thought for our Prime Minister. For beginners, like His Excellency (and me) Comrade Moses is not in excellent health. Vice President also knows that his usurper Dr Jagdeo can now whip him in any election race – because of race. Humiliation was the word at Whim some weeks ago whatever the spin now, being put. He also knows he should not act as President and still preside in the House and he knows that 33 should be more than 32. Never-the-less Cheddi’s Comrade did become a President with Dr Bharrat as “mere” Opposition Leader. Never underestimate the politics of opportunity. Helping our people? Or just power!?
Attorney-at-law Nigel Hughes is equally interesting in the local political milieu. But with a decidedly shrewd business edge.
With outward decorum and cultured status he leant a “sheen” to the new AFC – the “alliance” that promised “change” when it emerged as a promising third force. Hughes was/is articulate as a perceived “gentleman politician”. However, perhaps justifiably my PPP acquaintances regard him as a clever but insincere. I see him as more of a shrewd political business-person. His practice is lauded, is profitable. He chooses to represent “the poor” in cases that assume high profile in the media and society. He thus enriches his “pedigree”. They chose him to chase down Constitutional reform when he wasn’t pursuing cultural or entertainment interest- Night Club or Jazz.
Whichever the government, he offered legal, professional service to hydropower companies and now partners oil and gas interest in Texas, USA. Will he become Prime Minister like Vice President Moses? What? The AFC is no more! Discuss… Then consider… How did attorney Hughes conjure up the 34/33 scenario?
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Pause…and ponder
.1) Suggest the level of scrutiny that GECOM should now attract.
.2) Can any agency, entity sanction the Parliament’s Speaker if/when his rulings are dubious? Are wrong?
.3) Should not the Venezuelans’ actions against our oil exploration be taken highly seriously? No-Confidence vote or not?
.4) I suspect that Georgetown’s new Pandit Mayor will be given resources to outdo his predecessors. Correct?
.5) Would younger political leaders enjoy better sustained health than those in the 60-70 plus age range?
`Til next week!
