The entry of the so-called Vigilent Political Action Committee (V-PAC) into Guyana’s political arena might have been an opportunity to enrich our democratic landscape.
Unfortunately, it appears to be little more than a hastily assembled façade, fronted by individuals of questionable credibility and built on a foundation of recycled rhetoric and hollow promises.
Let’s start with the name. VIGILENT, spelt with an “E” rather than the correct “A,” is declared to be an acronym. However, the group seems to put more effort into justifying their linguistic creativity than crafting a coherent political vision.
Their verbose manifesto serves as a masterclass in vague platitudes, offering little in the way of actionable, innovative ideas to address the real challenges facing Guyana.
Their claim to stand for a “vision” that protects individual rights rings hollow. One of their leading figures, Dorwain Bess, is embroiled in a court case for extortion.
This casts serious doubts on their commitment to justice and fairness. How can a group claim to champion the rights of Guyanese citizens when one of its architects is navigating legal troubles that strike at the heart of ethical leadership?
V-PAC’s leadership reads like a who’s who of disgruntled personalities seeking relevance. Alongside Bess are Sarwan Scarce and Antonio Ahmad, individuals more notable for their grievances than any substantive contributions to national development.
This is a group united not by a shared vision for Guyana but by a shared dissatisfaction with the status quo – a shaky foundation for a political movement, at best.
Their rhetoric about standing “vigilent” against injustices is undercut by their own lack of transparency and credible leadership. If their goal is to build trust and inspire confidence among Guyanese citizens, they are failing spectacularly.
Furthermore, V-PAC’s manifesto is a labyrinth of buzzwords and unoriginal ideas. Their focus on “industry” and “tourism” as alternatives to oil dependency is neither groundbreaking nor detailed. Simply parroting this necessity without providing concrete strategies or innovative proposals is an insult to the electorate’s intelligence.
The ruling People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) has been driving diversification, which has been massively successful. Moreover, their grandiose statements about transforming Guyana into an egalitarian society are laughably disconnected from reality.
The group’s inability to articulate specific policies—beyond vague gestures towards democracy and economic stability—demonstrates a lack of preparedness to engage meaningfully with the complexities of governance.
Like Dr. Irfaan Ali’s administration, which has been working assiduously to improve the lives of every Guyanese, V-PAC offers a coalition of self-interested opportunists trying to capitalise on discontent without offering credible solutions.
Their hollow call to action is an insult to a nation standing at a critical juncture in its history. In truth, V-PAC is not a party of visionaries. It is a party of contradictions and empty promises, led by individuals whose records inspire more skepticism than hope.
As Guyana continues to navigate the opportunities and challenges presented by its growing economy, voters should demand better than what this ragtag group of politicos has to offer.
