…WPA hailed him as ‘upright, incorruptible’
…PNCR declared him ‘fit and proppa’ for second term

THE APNU+AFC coalition has signaled their full confidence in seeing incumbent President David Granger continuing and have all endorsed him as the presidential candidate heading into the next elections, which are constitutionally due next year.

“He’s a very upright person, very principled. No one can point a finger at him in relations to personal corruption, he’s really a model citizen, and we’ll be in support,” affirmed Working People’s Alliance (WPA) executive member, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine, who says he sees no reason that his party would be swayed from President Granger as the candidate.

“I have heard nothing other than that and I am certain that there’s no plan in the party to switch from President Granger. I’ve had the advantage of knowing President Granger probably longer than anyone else in the party, since we were in school in the same house, and I feel confident that he will lead APNU+AFC Coalition to victory, when it comes to that.”

The WPA is one of several parties constituting the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) coalition section of the government other parties include the People’s National Congress (PNC), National Front Alliance (NFA), Guyana Action Party (GAP), the Justice For All Party (JFAP). APNU was formed in 2011, the party joined forces with the Alliance For Change (AFC) in 2015 to contest elections that year.

Some members of the AFC have already indicated their support for the President, while the party is expected to make an official pronouncement following a collective decision when that party hosts its first National Executive Conference for the year this Saturday, January 26.

COMPETENT TO LEAD
Meanwhile, General Secretary of President Granger own party, People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Amna Ally said despite orchestrated rumours and untruths whether they are on his health or competence: “I, on behalf of the PNCR would like to indicate that he is ‘fit and proppa’ for a second term and the PNCR endorses his candidature.”

Ally said the party looks forward to be under his guidance for a second term and urged Guyanese to vote for vision, development, cordiality, selfless work and enjoy the good life. Additionally, Ally said President Granger was elected unopposed at his party Biennial Congress last August and that the party is fully aware of his competence, his principles and his vision for Guyana. “We are also cognisant of his discipline and in no way can be deemed as a corrupt leader. He possesses the necessary qualities that are required to be a country’s leader. He has constantly been active in cleaning up the 23 years of mess which the PPP put our country in,” Ally added.

She said Granger has been tried for the past three and half years and also proven his competence to lead Guyana for a second term.
Executive member of the NFA, Keith Scott, Minister of Labour, noted that his party earlier this month took their decision to back Granger for the presidency. “We look forward to the opportunity to reaffirm our support for him. We did have our executive meeting earlier in the year, coming out in support of that,” Scott noted. “The people of this country trust President Granger, he has the right discipline. He has been very democratic in his dealings since he has acceded to power, and that is the kind of person that we need to bring healing in this society.”

Notwithstanding the fact that the president is currently undergoing his fourth of five cycles of chemotherapy for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in the Republic of Cuba, he is said to be in good condition to contest the presidency, should early elections be called. “We are very confident that he is going to recover from his illness and give us that support,’ noted Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock, leader of the Guyana Action Party (GAP). “He knows this country, he knows the needs of the people, he knows the residents, and their passion for being able to live a good life. That is the driving force behind the GAP supporting him as leader. I think he’s a fair man.”

The questions of presidential candidates for varying parties has been accelerated into discussion since the December 21 debating of the no-confidence motion which secured 33 votes for to 32 votes against in parliament after AFC member Charrandass Persaud defected and voted with the opposition. The validity of the passing of the motion is currently before the courts, with the contention that the vote needed an absolute majority which amounts to 34 votes. The motion signaled the possibility of elections being held earlier than the expected 2020 schedule.

The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) last Saturday named scandal-tarred former housing minister, Irfaan Ali as their presidential candidate, evoking much disappointment and outrage among many of their supporters. Ali faces question over his academic qualifications and has 19 charges against him before the courts for defrauding the State of some $174M for his role in the notorious Pradoville land-sale scandal. “Our base is so energised right now,” said AFC General Secretary, Marlon Williams.

“The fact that people perceive this crossing of the floor [of Persaud] as a Guyana for sale approach. What that has done is galvanise our base to the extent where we’ve been bombarded with calls from people eager and very enthused to go to elections.” For Scott the NFA has been quietly doing its part in the background for some time now. “Our party has been moving among the people quietly.

The papers tend to report mostly on the two big parties and any other party is not accorded the courtesy, but we have been on the ground. In fact I’m even scheduled to go out Wednesday evening and meet people at other areas. You don’t see that in the papers,” Scott remarked.