Dear Editor,
I decided to end my self-imposed withdrawal from discussions on public matters in the columns of the national newspapers. In politics, flexibility is necessary, and you have to avoid being one-tracked in one’s approach to matters. Hence, my return to the letter columns.
The major objective of the WPA’s campaign was to create a political crisis to propel the country into meaningful constitutional reforms to end the “winner” take-all governance system to executive power-sharing: no winners/losers after national elections. We missed the opportunity to use the Local Government elections to the advantage of the country. Instead, our leaders and the major political parties consciously hoped for the continuation of the old predictable engagement with its pointless divisions, even with oil and plenty of money. Now we are caught trapped in the border controversy and Venezuela’s aggression. Unfortunately, it is in this context that I return to polemics in the newspapers.
My judgement is that 2024 will be decisive since it will determine the nation’s future. Several matters require effective resolution by the government and opposition. My concern is more with the opposition, the African community, and the Guyanese people. The parliamentary opposition politics can at best be described as constructive rhetoric but politically ineffective both on government and the masses. It is time for a change. The African community, despite the current weakness of its historical political leadership party, must stand and fight since time is not on our side. Our failure to do so will be our contribution to our demise. Ironically, the same dilemma faces the nation. We either overcome our collective weaknesses, driven by fear and opportunism, or continue to be our own worst enemy, digging our own graves.
This letter is not intended to address, in detail, major issues facing the nation but to introduce readers to my present thinking and activism in the coming period. I am hopeful that editors will not resort to the practices of the misuse of editorial discretion. Looking forward to a combative 2024.
Sincerely,
Tacuma Ogunseye
