APNU/AFC coalition launches campaign Granger warns of nasty, brutish future if not elected to Office …as PM Nagamootoo declares we are one for all; all for one
The coalesced APNU+AFC Presidential and Prime Ministerial Candidates along with spouses at yesterday’s campaign launch (Photos by Delano Williams)
The coalesced APNU+AFC Presidential and Prime Ministerial Candidates along with spouses at yesterday’s campaign launch (Photos by Delano Williams)

UNVEILING its brand new logo, campaign slogans and charges from its Prime Ministerial and Presidential Candidates, the coalesced A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Alliance For Change (AFC), yesterday officially kicked off its campaign for the 2015 General and Regional Elections.At the Savannah Suite of the Pegasus Hotel, the launch saw a reception from its supporters across the spectrum of the seven political parties in the coalition fray.

A standing ovation
A standing ovation

Welcomed to the venue with a fusion of drums, Brigadier (rtd) David Granger, along with his wife Sandra, Moses Nagamootoo and with his wife Sita, made their way to a standing ovation before being officially welcomed by Mabaruma District, Representative, Dawn Hastings.
Following a prayer for the Republic of Guyana and the recitation of its national pledge, the various parties delivered their messages through representatives pledging their support to the coalition and its objectives.

After a brief cultural interlude, however, the events took on a different tone as Brigadier (rtd) Granger, delivered the charge to the supporters while his running mate Nagamootoo delivered his fiery Unity call.
Referred to as the ‘Great General,’ Granger was confirmed as the coalesced ‘Opposition’s Presidential Candidate, and immediately whipped up supporters by turning to the Bible in reference to the upcoming challenge against the incumbent People’s Progressive Party Civic, (PPP/C) come May 11.
Quoting scripture, Granger, in his call said, “…we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of the world; against spiritual wickedness in high places…”
Accepting the nomination as the Presidential Candidate of the coalesced Opposition, Granger, told his supporters that this is not the first time APNU has worked along with AFC.
“I am honoured to have the support of my colleagues in the APNU and AFC who have collaborated over the past three years in the National Assembly,” according to Granger.
He went on to provide a track record of the two Opposition parties working against the incumbent over the last three years.
According to Granger, the AFC+APNU tag team had been working together when it elected Raphael Trotman, an AFC nominee, as Speaker of the National Assembly.
He documented too that the two Opposition parties had been working together all along to disapprove expenditure in the annual budgets, its stance on the amendments to the Anti-Money-Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Bill, the Public Procurement Commission and a Motion of No-Confidence in the administration, among other parliamentary resolutions.
According to Granger, “APNU and the AFC have worked together,” and “we shall continue to collaborate.”
NASTY/BRUTISH FUTURE
A confident Granger spoke too of celebrating Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary, come May next year, under an AFC/APNU Administration.

A section of the packed Savannah Suite yesterday
A section of the packed Savannah Suite yesterday

Urging supporters to vote for the coalition come May 11, Granger warned, “Life in Guyana could become more nasty and brutish,” if the PPP were to be returned to office.
According to Granger “We declare, today, that the APNU+AFC coalition will adopt a unified approach.”
This, he said, was meant to bring an end to the alleged cronyism at high levels practised by the administration, to crime, to widespread corruption in the law-enforcement and regulatory agencies in the mining, forestry sectors, and to constitutional abuse by the President, Cabinet and executive branch of the Government.
Describing the PPP Civic administration as backward, deaf and one that refuses to invest in its people, Granger vowed that the coalition would stand unified in its purpose of extricating the PPP/Civic Administration from Office.
1992 PROMISE
The Presidential Candidate’s charge was preceded by an equally electrifying presentation by Nagamootoo, who was confirmed as his running mate, the Prime Ministerial Candidate for the coalesced Opposition.
Nagamootoo, in his presentation to the packed to capacity Savannah Suite of the Pegasus Hotel, told the supporters “the restoration of electoral democracy in 1992 started a hopeful process, but it did not bring healing.”
According to the newly minted Prime Ministerial Candidate, the promise of 1992 faded, and it instead, “became distorted in a frenzy of sleaze, corruption and complicity in criminal enterprises.”
The gang of betrayers derailed our democracy,” said Nagamootoo in a clear reference to members of the incumbent administration.

David Granger mobbed by supporters following yesterday’s launch
David Granger mobbed by supporters following yesterday’s launch

Quoting literature in reference to the now coalesced Opposition, Nagamootoo, told supporters “We must, going forward, give meaning to our creed as one people, one nation, one destiny, and like Alexander Dumas’ Three Musketeers, from now onwards, we are one for all; and all for one.”
A confident Nagamootoo added, “I have no doubt in my mind that the APNU+AFC alliance will be victorious and that David Granger will be Guyana’s next President.”
MESSAGES
Meanwhile messages were also delivered by Malika Ramsey, of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), Allan Fernandes of the AFC, Tabitha Sarabo of the Working People’s Alliance, Cleveland Hudson of the National Front Alliance (NFA), Sidney Allicock of the Guyana Action Party (GAP) and Jeffrey Sankies of the Justice For All Party (JFAP).
The PNCR, WPA, NFA, GAP and JFAP fall under APNU which has since coalesced with AFC to form the APNU+AFC Alliance.
Sarabo, on behalf of her party, said that the “WPA pledges to do everything in our power to ensure victory in the upcoming election…on May 11, 2015 Guyana will be reborn.”
Those gathered for the historic launch were also treated to renditions of patriotic songs by the singing quartet, Circle of Love, steel pan renditions as well as drumming.

APNU+AFC Presidential Candidate David Granger addressing the campaign launch
APNU+AFC Presidential Candidate David Granger addressing the campaign launch

 

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