While the governing People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) claims to be Guyana’s most ethnically diverse party, the composition of its newly minted Central Executive Committee (CEC) may indicate otherwise. According to the Opposition Leader and Head of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), Aubrey Norton, only 7.5 per cent of the PPP/C’s CEC are of African descent.
“They try to paint the impression that they are the most multiethnic party in the country, and we thought that should not pass, because the evidence suggests that a mere 7.5 per cent of the PPP executive are Afro-Guyanese descent, compared to the PNC, in which, of 19 members, 21 per cent are Indo-Guyanese,” Norton said at a press conference today.
Norton’s Economic Advisor, Elson Low echoed his leader’s statement, noting that PPP/C sees Afro-Guyanese “as nothing more than tokens”.
“Only two Afro-Guyanese now rank among the PPP’s central committee members, whether by design or election. Two voices among 35, even if they were inclined to advocating for the rights of Afro-Guyanese, which we doubt, would be nowhere near enough to represent the over 30% of Guyana’s population that is of African descent. Similarly, five Afro-Guyanese ministers have been passed over, as sure an indication as any that they have no real power or influence,” the Economist said.
The opposition’s comments contradict the PPP/C’s General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo’s recent remark that the organization is steadily gaining more followers, particularly among demographics not typically associated with party.
Speaking at the kick-off event for the PPP’s 32nd Congress last week, Jagdeo emphasized the party’s push to show that it is not exclusively for one ethnic group or community. He insisted that it is a party for all.
Norton, how many East Indians were there in the PNC government and had a voice?