OPINION: Bharrat Jagdeo rides back into town

Last Updated on Friday, 19 December 2025, 14:13 by Writer

By GHK Lall

I read that the PPP Cincinnati Kid is back looking not his usual worse-for-wear self, but better than he ever did. I am humbly referring to the one and only, the master prevaricator, the ruling party’s all-purpose cleanup man, Dr. Bharrat “The Big Boss” Jagdeo. Because he means so much to the PPP Govt, Jagdeo represents so many, ah, clashing elements of noble Guyanese leadership, it is better to report that lost PPP masses see in his grand personage the Return of the Magnificent Seven. On behalf of the PPP lonely hearts club, please be more considerate next time. Don’t stay away that long; a month is a lifetime in politics, gives others ideas.

First things first. It’s good to hear from his own mouth that he wasn’t sick, but is as well as, well, one of those Exxon wells that reports a discovery, but no oil. It is healthy that sickness is out, never was a concern. Very good! Now, I didn’t want to go near a dark place, but he was the one who brought it up and had a wonderful time. I know that the FBI is here, and snooping around. Hence, I come flat out and put something before all Guyanese: It couldn’t be, could it, that the month-long absence of Guyana’s former president, now Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo, was spending time answering questions from the FBI? The hottest issue around is gold smuggling, and Jagdeo has been around since the late 1990s. The targets themselves have disclosed how much they gave to the PPP, and how close they were to its top brass, going all the way back to Cheddi Jagan. I think if his absence had some relation to hush-hush meetings with the FBI, then that says a lot. He must know something about gold smuggling, especially as it relates to the nearness and highly probable involvement of numerous PPP principals. Having piqued some interest with that FBI nugget, I move on to areas more local.

What is the PPP without Bharrat Jagdeo? What could it be? A shambolic affair, if anyone wants to know. When Mr. Magnificent Seven hogs the ministerial space and public spotlight, the others stay stunted. What would the PPP be with Dr. Irfaan Ali in charge? Given his stewardship of Guyana, the party’s reins shouldn’t be trusted to his hands, a recipe for more misplaced exuberance, juvenile gyrations. He did show some grooves in the dancing department when some Jamaicans belted out a jam. When Guyanese need a producer, they get a performer. When they need a Christmas hamper, they have to be content with a Facebook announcer. The good news is in January; wait for the budget, which means that relief arrives by late March.

Well, not so fast, for there was Dr. Jagdeo returning like the charging Magnificent Seven (in one) and setting the record straight. A condition. Guyanese now have to earn their way. Politicians in Guyana have earned their way a certain way, not the most wholesome, but there was the vice president lecturing the faithful, adding his earning qualifier. See what I mean about the Big Man’s incomparable value! Exxon hustled its way to a one-sided contract that capsizes this country, but Jagdeo informs locals that they have to earn their rewards. What has this oil come to: American Airlines’ frequent flyer mileage points? Marriot bonus dollars for staying with them in Kingston? I have a question for the vice president, then Guyanese generally: when has any politician earned his pay in this country? Name one. Go ahead, make my day. For crying out loud! The things that politicians in the driver’s seat come up with are enough to transform this country into a national lunatic asylum. It is already, isn’t it?

Finally, and for the record, it is delightful to have Dr. Jagdeo back. What would Thursday afternoons be without him? How would the conversation be over the weekends in the rumshops and high-end entertainment complexes, given his contributions to politically correct and inspiring content? Where there is no need for parental guidance? There is a long trail of a man at war with the world at frenzied decibels (Exxon and corrupt PPP cabals exempted) in his efforts to redirect Guyanese attention away from PPP sleazes and sicknesses around the people’s money. Now noise nuisance is back, and look from whose corner again. Hail Bharrat Jagdeo! It’s The Return of the Magnificent Seven in person. Seven superstars under one hat. Crab dance time.