After the’ Vep for Vote’ elections last year the man who occupies the Prime Minister’s office, Roosevelt Skerrit boasted that he crushed the opposition by an 18- 3 margin. He refeSkerrit to his questionable large victory as his “popular mandate” which legitimized his sweeping and unchallenged authority.
Dominica's embattled prime minister Roosevelt Skerrit.
He uses it as an arrogant exaggeration of political capital and as the reason why he should be above the laws of the land. But he should refrain from declaring that he has a mandate since there are very strong legal issues and questions and credible evidence of his legitimacy as PM and the elections.
But the court petitions and the new revelations that Skerrit was a French citizen from 2003 to 2010 should negate his battle cry of having an overwhelming mandate. It is only silly and naive to claim to have a mandate when you are most likely an illegitimate PM. Mandates transfer from Party A to Party B when Party A over-extends its mandate. Skerrit is over extending his mandate? Politicians who claim mandates always overestimate their victories and reach.
Skerrit claims his mandate as an excuse to say and do whatever he wants and thinks he can get away with it. Speaking on state radio he tried (and failed) to make the absurd argument to rationally thinking Dominicans on his legitimacy as the PM in light of more evidence to the contrary. He most likely gained more sympathy and support from his followers.
But his rock star popularity and strong mandate does not give him legitimacy to remain in office if the allegations are true. Skerrit’s practice is to use his political capital to flagrantly disregard and disrespect the constitution. The court should do everything to expedite this matter. If he is allowed to beat the charge and remain in office, then we will have created some one of the likes of a Baby Doc Duvalier. Some contend we have already created one.
But why the stubbornness to resign if the new information that was presented by an investigative journalist are true? A former Chief Justice provided some sound legal advice to Skerrit on a radio program. He said, ‘He ought to resign if the dual citizenship allegations are true and stay out of politics for a period of time’.
Skerrit will never listen to this honest fatherly advice. Instead he will continue to listen to his high profile and vocal superficial Roseau based ‘fair weather’ (political mercenaries) friends. Those so called friends who care about Skerrit the PM for their own selfish gains and not Skerrit the person. These same ‘friends’ will turn on him the minute he loses the status of high office.
Skerrit should be humbled by the trust and confidence that Dominicans have placed in him and recognize that with this trust and privilege come the responsibility to listen and make the right and respectable decisions- including resignation.
Maybe he should return to his mountain village where it began for him and seek advice and guidance from the old and wise folks. Folks who love him even if he remained a high school teacher or was only a member of the Itasti (Vielle Casse) village council.
They will provide him with the wise counsel he probably needs to save ‘Roosevelt Skerrit from himself’. By delaying the inevitable, Skerrit is setting the stage and tone for an ugly ‘show down'. One with far reaching and lasting consequences for him and our island home.
The Ancient Greeks believed that the zealous act of "over-stepping" one's rightful authority would bring about a "nemesis," which would in turn knock the hubristic power down to size. By Skerrrit hiding behind his overwhelming mandate and defying the constitution, is an act of hubris (pride and arrogance before the ultimate disgraceful fall) because it is fundamentally disrespectful, unfortunate, shameful and illegal.
Short-term political excitement and gratification are not worth long-term loss, trouble and embarrassment. Will Skerrit heed this advice? In this political climate, probably not. But our recent history reminds us that he is not alone.
When the next big, one-sided popular movement comes around, there will be a smiling politician standing up on that podium, telling an adoring crowd, "I have a mandate, I have the power, and I can do whatever I want." That often changes with the next election or court appearance or maybe a prison sentence for that politician.
