Georgetown : The PPP has raised concerns of the growing body of former military and police personnel who are taking up key and strategic positions in the hierarchy of the APNU-AFC coalition.
The ruling party claims this is a troubling development especially when seen against the background of the role of the military in the rigging of national and regional elections under the former PNC regime.
“It is quite apparent that the APNU-AFC under the leadership of David Granger has now become a political habitat for some of those who once served in military and paramilitary forces.
Granger for his part is doing everything possible to woo ex-military personnel by all manner of preposterous campaign promises such as a twenty percent salary increase which is twice the amount promised to other categories of public servants including teachers and nurses.”
The PPP calls on Granger to explain to the nation the precise role these ex-military personnel in the run up to, and on polling day, given their relative inexperience and lack of familiarity with our national politics.
“Is it an attempt by Granger to once again militarize the body politic as happened during the dark days of PNC authoritarian rule?
Are we to expect a return to the days of PNC party paramountcy when the army and police were forced to pledge loyalty not to the nation but to the ruling PNC?
Is our democracy under threat by a military and quasi-military cabal who seems more concerned with the return of a decadent and authoritarian order in which bullets and not ballots was used as the basis for governance?
Guyanese want answers to these frightening developments which certainly do not bode well for the good of our dear land.
Already there are strong indications that decision-making in the opposition APNU-AFC has been hijacked by a small group of former military personnel and which is already creating much unease in the AFC and the civilian component of the APNU” the PPP says.
The PPP for its part wishes to reiterate its commitment towards the building of a strong, disciplined and professional armed forces where loyalty to country and not party will be the only reason for their being.
It also pledges to make available the necessary resources to enhance the quality of life and well being of all those who serve in the disciplined forces.
You must be logged in to post a comment.