WPA says it stands with Ogunseye as condemnation mounts over racially-insensitive comments at Buxton

Please see full release from Executive Member of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA):

The WPA stands in solidarity with its longstanding member, Tacuma Ogunseye, who has come under attack by Attorney General, Anil Nandlall ostensibly for statements made by Ogunseye at a WPA public meeting at Buxton. Mr Nandlall’s accusation of racism against Brother Ogunseye is laughable. The AG belongs to a party and government that has waged a political and economic war against the African Guyanese community since coming to power in August 2020. Mr. Nandlall’s declaration that charge cannot be proven demonstrates how tone-deaf and racially insensitive the PPP is.

The AG’s implicit and explicit threat to Ogunseye is in keeping with the government’s larger campaign of bullyism that has characterized its most recent stint in office. It is an open attempt to once again violate the right to free speech which is expressly guaranteed by the very Guyana constitution which the AG likes to pontificate about. WPA wishes to say to Nandlall that it would not be bullied and will defend its right to freedom of expression.
WPA also notes the AG’s not-so-veiled attempt to instigate the police to take action against Brother Ogunseye. We condemn the AG’s action in the strongest terms. The continued use of the armed forces for partisan political ends is the hallmark of the PPP’s mode of governance. We draw the attention of the Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff to this open call to the institutions under is watch to become politically entangled beyond their constitutional remit.
It is not coincidental that the Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff also issued a statement on this matter. Although it made no mention of Ogunseye, the objective of the statement is clear. WPA welcomes the Chairman’s clarification of the non-political nature of the forces. But he needs to direct that clarification to the PPP government which has overtly and covertly politicized the Armed Forces. Mr Ogunseye did not incite the forces as the statement insinuates. He simply call on the men in uniform to do the right thing and not turn their guns on Guyanese citizens protesting and resisting government overreach.
The fact that the Chairman’s statement makes reference to inciting “racial tensions” contradicts his claim of political impartiality. He in his capacity as head of a State Institution is making a value judgement of comments made by a political activist. If that is not political, WPA wonders what is. We, therefore, call on the Chairman to review that part of his statement. In the meantime, WPA stands with Tacuma Ogunseye.