The A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) says it finds recent comments made by the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Candidate and Executive Member, Anil Nandlall “ignorant and repugnant”.
Nandlall, during a recent appearance at a poltical rally, said that “Cuffy was a proud and upstanding house slave” and added that there was “nothing wrong with being a house slave”.
Nandlall made the comment in response to the APNU’s alleged proclivity to label Afro-Guyanese who join the PPP/C as “house slaves”.
The APNU, in a brief but strongly worded statement, said it condemns the comments “in the strongest possible terms”.
“Cuffy, our national hero, was a freedom fighter and revolutionary. In 1763, he fought and broke the shackles of slavery and dehumanization. He then organized the world’s first nation state by freed Africans outside of Africa.
We call on all Guyanese to take note of the disrespectful manner in which the PPP views Afro-Guyanese and their history in this country. Those Afro-Guyanese who choose to vote for PPP should pay special attention. Nandlall’s statement was not a slip of the tongue, but reflects the mindset of his party. We will address this issue further,” the party said.
It should be noted that Nandlall has since issued an apology for the comment on his Facebook page.
