I am writing in reference to a letter published in the Sunday edition of Stabroek News dated June 8th, 2025, by Mr. Lalbachan Christopher Ram with the title: “Presidency has been diminished by Mr. Ali, and he ought not be re-elected”. Ram contends:
“The recent exchanges between President Ali and Azruddin Mohamed are a symptom of the reliability of his (Ali’s) words and his personal credibility. When confronted with documented evidence – via WhatsApp messages – that he facilitated the undervaluation for customs purposes of a high-end vehicle, Ali ridiculed the source. Pressed further, he hid behind the standard “I cannot recall,” blaming it on receiving too many messages”. He then concludes:
“President Ali’s actions constitute a grave betrayal of the Guyanese public who gave him the privilege of being their leader. When concerns were raised over the nature and speed of his academic qualifications, the public chose to look past them. And when the APNU+AFC coalition attempted to subvert the electoral process in 2020, Guyanese of all backgrounds defended Ali’s constitutional right to assume office. That trust has been repaid with secrecy, arrogance, betrayal, and deception”.
The author’s misdirected callous attack on his Excellency, the President’s credibility and integrity, has nothing to do with the President’s integrity and credibility. In fact, it has everything to do with the author’s own credibility and integrity, as exposed hereunder. But before doing so, let me stop short to say that Guyana is a free country and a working democracy, evidenced by the freedom the likes of Ram et.al enjoy—in their daily unfounded onslaught on the PPP/C government, especially the President and Vice President.
I now take great pleasure in revealing some interesting facts touching on and concerning the personality of Mr. Lalbachan Ram that he may or may not deny publicly and may or may not wish to be transparent about to the Guyanese people.
In 2006, Mr. Ram had for a period of time put a pause in his column where he would usually strongly criticize the PPP/C government. This was under the Presidency of Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo. Reason being, he was courting Dr. Jagdeo at that time for the Minister of Finance job. And after he did not succeed in that regard, he relaunched his usual attacks on the PPP/C government.
In 2015, he supported the APNU+AFC both financially and with his pen. According to a letter published in Stabroek News by none other than a WPA Executive, Mr. Desmond Trotman, Mr. Ram wanted to be the Prime Ministerial candidate and was courting the WPA for their support. Again, another failed mission. The APNU+AFC formed the government after the 2015 election, and Ram was called upon to conduct a number of forensic audits, although these were marred in controversies including breaches of the procurement legislation, and with no findings of any adverse substance against the PPP/C government. That was all he was rewarded for his support to the APNU+AFC. He then relaunched his usual attacks with his pen against the APNU+AFC.
In 2020, he supported the PPP/C with the hope that he will obtain some sort of handsome reward—that is, a substantive portfolio. I can recall both Ram and I worked closely together during the recount period at the Private Sector Commission. After he realized the PPP/C won the election, he was in the Board Room of the Private Sector Commission with me, preparing a proposed list of names of who should form the cabinet. I thought to myself this guy was crazy to do that unsolicited, because I know that the PPP/C does not work like that.
I am aware of a few instances whereby he wanted substantive positions in which he must be in control. He had even applied to be a commissioner of the Public Procurement Commission. He was also part of the consortium that was formed to conduct the cost oil audit but subsequently withdrew at the last minute because he wanted to be the lead audit firm. Failing which he withdrew from the consortium.
He was appointed a member of the Board of Directors for NICIL as well; there again, not being in a position of control, he subsequently resigned. Of interest to note, while a sitting Director on the Board of NICIL, readers would recall that his colleague, Mr. Nigel Hinds had resigned from the Board of NICIL, and Mr. Ram had said that he would resign with Nigel Hinds as a matter of principle for the reason thereof. However, the record would show that he never resigned with Mr. Hinds, he resigned afterwards, and the reason for his resignation was unrelated to the reason Mr. Hinds resigned. This shows, whether right or wrong, that he is a man who stands for nothing, he has no principle whatsoever.
These events are verifiable facts. Moreso, what is demonstrated herein about this individual is that he has no credibility and integrity to attack the President in the manner he did. Nothing he does, says or writes has anything to do with what he projects. It all has to do with himself, his political ambitions and aspirations and his deep quest for recognition, though he is an accomplished professional in his trade.
Having said that, it would appear now, that he is back in the opposition camp, campaigning heavily for the opposition and /or the OFAC sanctioned businessman. This brings me to another important point. While Ram took issue with the President, he ignored altogether the facts of the matter, which are that:
(i) The OFAC sanctioned businessman whom he (Chris Ram) is now campaigning for, apparently, presented to the President and the Guyana Revenue Authority GRA) a false declaration as regards the purchase price paid for the Lamborghini.
(ii) Ram has not written a single letter or column on the subject of the tax evasion, gold smuggling, and other crimes for which the sanction was imposed; yet he, Chris Ram, parades as a man of integrity, accountability, transparency and good governance. And, as it would appear, Mr. Lalbachan Ram is prepared to support the one and only presidential aspirant in Guyana who is among few persons in the world who are the subject of OFAC sanctions. This is unprecedented.
In closing, Mr. Ram has a right to support whomever he wishes to, for the upcoming elections, and he has a right to pursue his personal political ambitions. However, it is distasteful of him to project an image of himself that does not reconcile with the characteristics he advocates: integrity and credibility. For this, he should be transparent about his political agenda and apologize to our President.