Granger details Coalition plans if successful at polls

By Gomatie Gangadin

The newly formed A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU-AFC) coalition had its official elections campaign launch on Wednesday at the Pegasus Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown.

Presidential Candidate, Opposition Leader Brigadier David Granger told the gathering the country was suffering from severe “unhappiness” and this must be addressed since it would lead to social crises.

The Presidential hopeful told the crowded room of supporters and media operatives that the state of unhappiness in the country was seen in the number of suicides recorded every year.

“The People’s Progressive Party/Civic has dragged us to the very pit of the human development index.

“The record rates of arson, armed robbery, murders, suicides, road fatalities, illiteracy, and unemployment, trafficking in persons and trafficking in narcotics have made our country a pariah state in this hemisphere,” Granger told the gathering.

He noted that it was out of this situation that the coalition was formed, as the time has come for the change that the country so needed, adding that it has the potential to change the landscape of several of the country’s systems including those in the health, education and social services sectors.

“The APNU-AFC coalition is the boldest step taken in six decades to replace political hostility with unity, confrontation with cooperation, dictatorship with democracy. The coalition has chosen hope over despair and faith over fear.

“The coalition will give Guyanese an education system that will produce citizens of quality who will be happy, employment opportunities, a security policy that protects our citizens and our territory,” he said.

Granger stated that the APNU-AFC would ensure a “real Government of national unity and democratic renewal” if it wins the elections.

He added that the formation of the partnership between the two parties was not to be mistaken for the fulfilment of the self-interest of any one person, but rather it was an agreement born out of the need for the country to reach its potential, noting that a government of national unity would serve all Guyanese across the country.

“We assure you today that the Cummingsburg Accord is not a crass, short-term, office-sharing bargain. It is a visionary initiative, it’s actually a public covenant between the combined majority and the people to create a just society, a stable political environment with a prosperous economy,” the Opposition Leader said.

Prime Ministerial candidate of the coalition Moses Nagamootoo, in alluding to his biblical namesake, declared May 11, the date for General and Regional Elections in Guyana as the day of deliverance for the country proclaiming that the country has experienced enough at the hands of the incumbent party.

“As we prepare to take office, we note how utterly depraved this Government has become by shamelessly misusing public funds. Our alliance has said it is enough!

“There will be and must be a stop to this madness! A new day must come and it will come, in the words of Martin Carter, ‘inevitably and inexorably’. May 11 is deliverance day!” he declared.

Nagamootoo also issued a call to all Guyanese to turn up at the polling stations on Election Day and to cast their votes without hesitation.

According to Nagamootoo, there is nothing to fear in giving the coalition a vote since it will be making a giant step towards national reconciliation, national unity and a better living standard. He told the gathering that “we shall defeat the monster of racism”.

Both men expressed confidence that the people of Guyana will vote for change.

Race politics

However, many observers have been particularly vocal over the last few weeks with respect to the race-based politics of the APNU-AFC coalition, and are calling on both parties to move away from the established fundamentals and scour for new ground.

Many persons have noticeably taken to social media to express frustration at this method, calling for a change in the modus operandi.

One event that kept taking centre stage in the online discussions and is still being referenced is the APNU rally at Square of the Revolution. It was noted that the AFC took a decision to send only Afro-Guyanese to mount APNU’s platform.

Additionally, the AFC refused to join the APNU protests which followed the rally.

Despite these concerns being ventilated on social media, the AFC was adamant that this was not the case.