‘They are in a bad shape’ – Jagdeo

As parties prepare for the 2025 General and Regional Elections, General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party Civic Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has said at his most recent press conference that the main opposition parties are unable to grow support, with leaders of the opposition embracing divisive and racist social media personalities like Rickford Burke, Mark Benschop and Sherod Duncan- ‘lunatic poster boys.’

“When you have to make these lunatics poster boys your messengers, then you are in a bad shape,” Jagdeo, who is also Guyana’s Vice President, said.

He pointed out that the Alliance For Change (AFC) leader, Nigel Hughes has been engaging Burke to help with his promotion, someone who is wanted by local authorities for extortion and who is known as a divisive figure in the diaspora.

The General Secretary’s contention is that Mr. Hughes, who was elected AFC leader this year, has not been able to garner much support from the populace because of his history in politics. Jagdeo also said Mr. Hughes’s attempts to champion some issues, like the elimination of pit latrines in the hinterland, have not gained him much public favour.

And so, Jagdeo believes the AFC’s political campaigining has been floundering.

“It’s a sign of a failing campaign and a failing image

“He talks to a man now, Rickford Burke, who is a man wanted, who is avoiding now coming to Guyana to face charges of extortion,” he said.

Similarly, Dr Jadgeo said support for the main opposition party, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), appears to be dwindling. According to him, that party and its leader Aubrey Norton have also been embracing the “lunatic fringe” and other personalities in an attempt to drum up support.

And he said, “It represents a new low in politics.”