Majeed Hussain, a People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Central Committee member, died yesterday morning and he was hailed for both his leadership and the role he played in the fight for democracy during last year’s elections crisis.
Sunday Stabroek was reliably informed that Hussain died as a result of COVID-19 complications.
PPP, in a statement yesterday confirmed Hussain’s death and expressed condolences to his wife, children and relatives.
“He was a true patriot who was integrally involved in the struggle to resist the attempt by the APNU+AFC to subvert the will of the Guyanese people through the rigging of the March 2nd 2020 General and Regional Elections,” the party said.
Hussain served the PPP in various capacities. At the time of his death he was also the National Director of the Community Development Councils.
Ahead of the national vote recount last year, he was also a member of the ‘Guardians of Democracy’ group, which kept a daily watch ballot boxes that were stored at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Headquarters, at Kingston, Georgetown.
Dr. Josh Kanhai, who was also part of the group, yesterday told Sunday Stabroek that he met Hussain last March.
“…He was always actively involved, he was always a leader with bravery. He was also giving insights which no one else would have seen. He was very quiet and when it came for him to use his voice for leadership, he did,” Kanhai said.
Hussain’s passing left those close to him in a state of shock.
As the news of his death spread, a number of PPP leaders, including President Irfaan Ali, eulogised him on Facebook.
“Today our Party has lost a committed, strong, fearless and dependable leader, Comrade Majeed Hussain. His entire life was of service to people,” Ali said in a Facebook post.
He described Hussain’s death as a “painful” blow.
“Personally, Majeed was not only a friend and brother, but someone who I shared tremendous life experiences with. We fought many political battles alongside each other and his support was unquestionable… His work and contribution can never die, his legacy and sacrifices will forever live,” Ali added.
Meanwhile, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, in a separate post, said Hussain’s death represented a “significant” loss to the party and the country as a whole.
“He was a comrade, a friend, and a dedicated worker who was committed to the cause of the upliftment of the Guyanese people. He played a substantial role during our 2020 Elections campaign and later during the five-month period in which attempts were made to subvert our democracy,” Jagdeo said.
Minister of Education Priya Manickchand described Hussain as a “dedicated and committed, hardworking and reliable” individual.
She said Hussain spent most of his life serving the people of this country.
“He committed himself to, believed in and fought for democracy. In the months after the No Confidence Motion and particularly in those months when there was a real threat to what had become our democratic norms, Majeed did what he has always done: he stood up and faced down that threat. Morning. Noon and night. And he did so pleasantly always willing to impart his knowledge and going way beyond. The PPP/C lost a true fighter today. Guyana lost a patriot. Thanks for the service, friend,” Manickchand stated.
Additionally, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall said that after an analysis of the March 2nd elections is done, Hussain will feature as “prominent” as any.
“He was your proverbial “work horse”; he was an outstanding political “foot soldier”; he was a leader. During that five months alone, not only was he a leader of the group who guarded the containers with the ballot boxes, 24 hours per day but he was the Commissioner of Oaths to Affidavits and Justice of Peace who sat with me, sometimes all night and into daylight hours, to swear the numerous Affidavits which had to be filed in the series of litigation which permeated that period. He was always ready upon call, without excuse or hesitation, despite the hour,” he wrote.
Minister with responsibility for Public Affairs within the Office of the Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy noted that Majeed was a son of the soil and a true patriot whose contribution to the fight for democracy cannot be underestimated. “Undoubtedly, Majeed offered unmatched dedication and hard work towards many causes. He was the standard in terms of standing up with the party to all types of injustices, wrongdoings, and shortcomings of our political opponents,” he said.
