Intent on contending for the leadership of the PNCR, Attorney-at-Law Roysdale Forde believes he would be the most suitable 2025 presidential candidate and that his professional defence of the APNU+AFC after the 2020 polls, amidst allegations of fraud and rigging will not negatively impact the electorate.
“I am an attorney, and the nature of my profession is to present a case or build a defence. Imagine accusing every attorney of being supportive of whatever the nature of the case they have taken on…,” he said in response to questions from the Stabroek News on his ability to win over PPP/C supporters, given his legal defence of the APNU+AFC. He reasoned that judging him for practising and performing legal duties was tantamount to saying, for example, that an attorney defending a murder accused “is supportive of [that client] or aiding in denying justice.”
“I believe that the PPP/C supporters and the wider Guyanese populace are more interested in the looming threat of Venezuela taking over our Essequibo and the tens of thousands of Venezuelans crossing our borders; the barefaced, unbridled corruption of the PPP; the increasing high cost of living; low salaries and wages; the plunder of our oil resources in the Natural Resources Fund, and the list goes on.”
When the Congress is held this year, sometime before August 31st, Forde will challenge current PNCR Leader Aubrey Norton and believes he is the best person for the position
‘Wrong direction’
He told this newspaper that he took the step in the interest of the greater good of the party.
“My decision to make myself available to be a candidate for leader of the PNC was not an easy one. It came after recognising that many members of our party [are] disenchanted, disgruntled and simply dissatisfied with the current direction the party is heading,” he expressed.
“The decision came after listening to many members who either called, messaged or dropped by my office to say to me that something is wrong, we are heading in the wrong direction and something has to change,” he added.
Forde said that the party required new vision.
“I believe that the place that the party finds itself today requires a shift in its philosophical approach; a paradigm shift in vision and goals,” he said.
He continued, “I grew up in the party and as an adult was co-opted into the CEC by former president Hugh Desmond Hoyte and I have seen the party manoeuvre many seasons and believe that at this juncture the vision I began to outline at my launch is the current direction that the party should take. A vision that focuses on regrouping, refocusing and rebuilding the PNC to be the beacon of hope for this current and future generations. A vision that is not self-serving but rather one that takes seriously the concerns of all of our members and supporters.”
In a press release he issued late last month, the MP had stressed the importance of his party’s upcoming Congress, and the decisions that would be taken. “At present we stand on the cusp of a pivotal moment in our party’s and the nation’s history. Actions we take and decisions we make over the next few months should not be taken lightly,” he wrote.
He was open about his intention to be part of the process of change and to put his shoulder to the wheel. “I stand before you with a great sense of purpose and resoluteness; purpose to be part of a much needed process of change and a resoluteness to work tirelessly with every member of the PNCR to make that a reality,” he wrote.
Forde referenced the party’s Constitution Article 15, Section I, which speaks to the authority vested in the Biennial Delegates Congress, and Section 4 which gives the Congress the authority to elect a party leader and the Central Executive Committee. “It is on these bases that I hereby announce that I am making myself available for nomination to contest for the position of leader of the People’s National Congress Reform when Congress is officially announced,” he stated.
‘Realign’
Notice was taken of the relatively short time between the Congress and the National and Regional Elections which are due in 2025, with the understanding that the process to regain the presidency must begin now.
The PNCR’s lead attorney said that in his interactions during his travels across the country, party comrades and supporters of the coalition were demanding an approach that not only holds the PPP accountable, but also imbues hope in the hearts and minds of Guyanese. Such an approach, he posited, must show “unity, strength, collectivism, integrity and patriotism”. He urged that to build this future, “we must regroup, refocus and rebuild.”
He sees regrouping as a crucial aspect of the party’s political endeavour, not only as a political strategy, but as a testament to its collective strength and resilience. “The PNCR has a rich history and a diverse array of perspectives that make us strong. It is therefore critical that we come together, to regroup and realign our efforts in pursuit of our shared values and goals for the betterment of the people,” he wrote.
He also posited that unity within the party should not just be a “mere aspiration,” but must be seen as a “fundamental necessity” for the PNCR to achieve meaningful progress and enact positive change, both for itself and the nation.
Further, regrouping entails bridging divides, building consensus, and harnessing strength of unity. This will add to the efforts made to forge a path forward that prioritises the well-being and prosperity of all Guyanese. “So it is important that we regroup not as factions or individuals, but as a united force, not just to present a unified front, but to be the united front that addresses the very issues that affect the livelihood of the people of this nation,” Forde said.
With regard to refocusing, the release acknowledged that political parties face myriad challenges both internally and externally from which the PNCR was not exempt. However, it is during challenging times and moments of uncertainty that it must refocus its energies and realign its priorities.
It also means that the party must recommit itself to the core values and principles as well as the putting aside of personal agendas and egos for the greater good of the party and the people of the nation. This means constantly engaging in “constructive dialogue”, actively listening to diverse perspectives, and always finding common ground to move forward, the release said.
It was also explained that such refocusing cannot occur in isolation, hence the necessity to regroup. “As we refocus internally we must also refocus our attention on the issues that matter most to the Guyanese people – the high cost of living, better healthcare, education, economic opportunities for all, and a clean voters list and there is much more that can be added to this list. We must refocus our strategies to effectively address these pressing issues and deliver real, tangible solutions that improve the lives of our fellow Guyanese. It is imperative that we refocus on what unites us, rather than what separates us, as a party and as a nation,” he stated.
