As the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) celebrates its 75th anniversary, it stands as a pillar of Guyana’s democratic and social progress. General Secretary Dr Bharrat Jagdeo underscored the party’s enduring commitment to unity, democracy, and a better life for all Guyanese. He asserted, “Our diverse party will always be on the right side of history despite consistent attempts to undermine its efforts.”
A History of Struggle and Triumph
Reflecting on the PPP’s storied past, Jagdeo detailed the party’s pivotal role in shaping Guyana’s political landscape. “Of the 75 years, 16 years were spent fighting for independence, where many were jailed and brutalised by colonial leaders,” he said. “Then, another 28 years were spent fighting for free and fair elections under an undemocratic regime. For 44 of those 75 years, we were fighting just for freedom.”
These years of struggle, marked by resilience and sacrifice, culminated in the return of democracy on October 5, 1992. This date symbolized the restoration of free and fair elections after decades of electoral manipulation under the People’s National Congress/Reform (PNC/R).
The Youth at the Forefront
A defining feature of the PPP’s leadership is its focus on youth empowerment. Unlike opposition parties, which Jagdeo criticized for recycling old faces, the PPP has built a robust youth movement. In October, the Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO) reached a membership of nearly 10,000, with recruitment efforts ongoing.
Dr Jagdeo praised this accomplishment: “Young people are at the forefront of our party, shaping the future of Guyana while staying true to our founding principles of unity and justice.”
Defending Democracy Against Modern Threats
The General Secretary also addressed more recent challenges, particularly the events surrounding the 2020 General and Regional Elections. Guyanese voters faced a grueling five-month wait for election results amidst allegations of electoral fraud and unlawful acts by the then APNU+AFC administration.
Despite these challenges, a national recount ultimately confirmed the PPP/C’s victory, with 233,336 votes compared to the APNU+AFC’s 217,920 votes. Jagdeo highlighted the role of international and regional observers in ensuring the integrity of the electoral process.
Dr Jagdeo also pointedly criticized the AFC for its role in the alleged attempts to undermine democracy. “No amount of whitewashing could cause us to forget the role that the AFC played in 2020,” Dr Jagdeo said.
Contrasting Leadership Styles
Dr Jagdeo contrasted the PPP’s transparency and inclusiveness with the internal discord of opposition parties like the PNC and AFC. He pointed to irregularities during their internal congresses, including allegations of infighting and a lack of transparency.
Jagdeo argued that this discord reflects a broader pattern of mismanagement and poor governance. He drew attention to the PNC’s 28 years of rule, describing it as a period marked by “severe repression and brutality.” Under their leadership, Guyana descended from a middle-income country to one of the poorest in the region.
Looking Ahead: A Vision of Unity and Growth
As the PPP moves forward, it continues to champion inclusivity, unity, and progress. The party’s diverse leadership reflects a commitment to representing all Guyanese, irrespective of ethnicity or background. “When we tell the story of the PPP, there is also a national story to be told,” Dr Jagdeo remarked.
Dr Jagdeo reaffirmed the party’s focus on building a prosperous and united Guyana, where every citizen has a stake in the nation’s future. Despite ongoing attempts to undermine its efforts, the PPP’s mission is to protect and strengthen Guyana’s democracy.
The Alliance for Change (AFC) and the People’s National Congress (PNC) appear locked in a contentious struggle for relevance within Guyana’s political landscape. Despite the AFC’s claims of independence and a distinct voter base, it has been criticized for leveraging the PNC’s long-standing support base to inflate its political influence.
Allegations suggest that AFC leader Nigel Hughes has sought to carve out a portion of Afro-Guyanese PNC supporters while projecting them as AFC loyalists. This maneuver has raised questions about the AFC’s authenticity and role in Guyana’s democracy.
Many diehard Afro-Guyanese supporters of the People’s National Congress (PNC) are growing increasingly frustrated with Aubrey Norton’s leadership. Critics argue that his perceived inability to provide effective direction has opened the door for Nigel Hughes to capitalize on the situation, with some suggesting that Hughes’s ultimate ambition is to take control of the PNC.
Aubrey Norton has also drawn criticism for his recent accusations of racism against Indo-Guyanese leaders, a move seen by many as divisive and lacking substance. Even within the PNC, supporters have primarily dismissed these claims as baseless. “Norton is playing the race card, and even his PNC party supporters are not buying his fake accusations,” one PNC observer noted.
Aubrey Norton and Nigel Hughes are misleading the Afro-Guyanese voters into thinking that they will win the next general elections with only Afro-Guyanese votes.
Both these Afro-Guyanese leaders must study math because the Afro-Guyanese voters alone cannot elect a government unless they use the rigging method, which they did in 2020.
Dr Jagdeo is an expert in economics and is very good at maths. It would be nice if he could spare an hour to lecture and educate these two ignorant politicians about how to count votes and the reality of politics in Guyana.
Meanwhile, both parties are reportedly vying for dominance over Afro-Guyanese voters, creating internal divisions that weaken their collective political stance. Critics argue that this rivalry undermines their credibility and demonstrates their inability to govern effectively.
The shadow of rigging the 2020 election controversies continues to loom, with accusations of election rigging by PNC/AFC, casting doubt on their commitment to fair governance. Many voters are increasingly skeptical, questioning whether the PNC/AFC parties can genuinely represent the interests of all Guyanese citizens. Hence, the reason for so many PNC supporters joining the PPP party in drove. Many political pundits predict a landslide win in 2025 for the PPP party.