OPINION: Dr. Campbell has done much, one piece missing

Last Updated on Tuesday, 17 February 2026, 21:29 by Writer

By GHK Lall

PNC parliamentary leader, Dr. Terrence Campbell dug deep to pen a courteous, pointed response to a recent writing of mine re cost of living. When a citizen – PPP, PNC, AFC, WIN, FGM, ALP – carries himself at that level, the least I can try to deliver is what gives due dignity, maybe a shade more courtesy.

Dr. Campbell registered his points of difference on a Facebook post. Glad it was difference harbored, not offense taken. I agree with his objections, representations: he has done much, as his party’s parliamentary leader. The bad news from my unregistered Facebook page is simple: he has to do more. Much more. Unconscionable, he and others may say. Look how much he has given, how many personal sacrifices he has made! Aye, aye, sir. Yes, ma’am. What kind of man am I to ask even more of such a stalwart giving quietly, then to get called out by me? There was a man who entered political service to give to the people, and not to get rich from it. The day I can say that about the PPP, others in the PNC, probably some in WIN, it will be Xmas, with me as Santa giving out gifts. Of respect and thanksgiving. Of accolades and joy.

Now I pivot to the backfoot, and hook. Parliament is vital. Social media has its pluses. The judiciary is a snake pit that still could lead to success, but there are threats of snake bite. Venomous snake bites that can be politically fatal. Note America’s Supreme Court. Come closer to home, and note Maduro’s clever setup in his court arena. Taken singly or cumulatively, all three have great value. I add no qualifications, such as straightness, lack of bias, any undue whispers. For emphasis, the National Assembly, the judiciary, and social media energy, sagacity, and utility are real and represent necessary escalations that are almost perfect. To a point. Just shy of the complete works. The challenge for Terrence Campbell (and the others) is what it takes to close the circle. It is that Fourth Horseman so feared by the PPP as if it is death on horseback heading for it at a full gallop.

What is it, my fellow Guyanese, that grabs the attention and keeps the anxiety of the PPP at high levels? Dr. Campbell knows better than most, certainly better than me. The feared Fourth Horseman is street protest. Boots on the ground. Voices raised, making the rounds. A sound that pounds and pounds into the thick skulls of those who are not troubled (actually laff) at the parliamentary, the judiciary, and cyber territory. It is why peaceful protests have been infiltrated. The color of the recruited thugs and hooligans is blinding, their mayhem frightening. Two birds struck with one PPP leadership stone: one Guyanese segment criminalized, another set in Guyana’s population terrorized.

The challenge for Dr. Campbell and the PNC, Mr. Mohamed and WIN, and Ms. Walton-Desir, is how to take peaceful street protest and make it produce results. The PPP itself is where it is, because of street protest (with help from Excellency Sam Hinds). Bangladesh has a change in government because students showed the drive of youth, feet on the street. The mighty US Government was forced to slink out of Minneapolis, because some courageous and determined protesters held their ground and stood for what the US Constitution guaranteed. Dr. Campbell has been about honest effort, and great fighting spirit. But he is like those majestic American thoroughbreds, Secretariat and Holy Bull striding ahead on three legs. Parliament, the judiciary, and social media are the three legs. The missing fourth leg is peaceful street protest. If Dr. Campbell is unable to go there, he might as well go back to his other businesses. He knows so. Though he may be unduly unhappy, with “he faltered”, he functions with a hand tied behind his back. Diminishes his thrusts. He knows that, too.

Last, here’s something from last Friday’s peaceful protest about the budget by parliament around the Arthur Chung Center. The PPP Govt is so petrified of peaceful protest that the police barrier pushed the protesters so far away that they were almost by the Stabroek Market parliament building. Mainly senior citizens with placards, and the PPP Govt reacted nervously. Now think of a few hundred peaceful citizens protesting and chanting their hearts out about cost of living in the almost richest country globally. Imagine the traction, the groundswell of attraction! Terrence Campbell has done much. He has more to do.