PPP calls presidential term-limit case “subterfuge”

Last Updated on Friday, 6 February 2015, 0:50 by GxMedia

The governing People’s Progressive Party (PPP) on Thursday lashed out at legal manoeuvres by a private citizen, backed by a number of lawyers, to challenge the constitutionality of the two-term presidential limit.

“The sponsors of the legal challenge appear to have a hidden agenda in the real sense of the term other than invoking or blocking the boogie of a “third term” for Bharrat Jagdeo,” said the party in a statement.

Once Cedric Richardson of West Ruimveldt, Georgetown wants the Constitutional Court of the High Court to find that the amendment to the Constitution by a two-thirds parliamentary majority in 2001 was wrong and that it should have been done by a referendum.

Richardson’s court documents, filed by Attorneys Shawn Allicock, Oneidge Walrond- Allicock and Emily Dodson, named Former President Jagdeo as someone whose chances of running for a third term could be jeopardised.

Jagdeo and Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon have since ruled out the former Guyanese leader harbouring any desires of runnning again.

The PPP-Civic has already named its candidate for the the May 11, 2015 general and regional elections.

Following is the PPP’s statement.

The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has taken note of the challenge filed in the High Court against the two term Presidential tenure as provided for in the Constitution of Guyana.

What is of interest is the timing at which this challenge is being raised and by whom.

Guyana is on the cusp of National and Regional Elections. Many challenges lie ahead, the most important being to ensure that the Elections are free and fair.

Clearly, this new development is an attempt to throw a spanner in the works.

The sponsors of the legal challenge appear to have a hidden agenda in the real sense of the term other than invoking or blocking the boogie of a “third term” for Bharrat Jagdeo.

The interest of those behind the challenge lies in the darkest and deepest crevices of a democracy comparable to the galleries of Hades.

The Party wishes to state unequivocally that Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo had publicly affirmed time and again his respect for the Constitution and that he has no interest whatsoever in any so called “third term” Presidency.

It is now become obvious that Mr. Jagdeo’s assertions fell on deaf ears and that his expression of disinterest in returning to the Presidency notwithstanding, the modern-day Quislings working in close collaboration with the local satraps continue to generate and peddle this absolute nonsense, elevating it to useless legalistic twaddle.

Since 2011, Mr. Jagdeo made clear his disinterest in this matter within the Party and beyond. The Party wishes to state that while Mr. Jagdeo remains a highly popular figure within and beyond the membership and supporters of the PPP, this popularity is in no way intended to be translated into a “third term” candidature.

The PPP is aware of the fact that while many of its members and supporters hold the former President in high esteem and would have liked to see his return to the Presidency, they are very much aware that there are wolves in sheep’s clothing in our society who seek to sow discord and to engage in deceitful and artful fandangle aimed at misleading and confusing PPP supporters.

While the other political parties are still dithering to name their Presidential Candidate, the PPP has already done so.

The PPP has confronted many subterfuges in and out of elections season. We fought off and overcame all of them. This new subterfuge will be fought off too and consigned to the dustbin of history.