VOCIFEROUS campaigning by the newest supporter of the governing party, Africo Selman, an ex-member of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), is being defended after her ‘usefulness’ was questioned by a Kaieteur News reporter.

People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) member, Dr Leslie Ramsammy, yesterday made it clear that Selman has always been able to rationalize the merits of decisions before her, against the backdrop of national interest.

As such, he added that the ruling party’s leadership and members have always welcomed “with open arms” any individual or group desirous of supporting the development agenda that is advanced by the PPP/C.
Dr Ramsammy said her focus on national interest was evident as early as 2012 – a few months after the 10th Parliament was convened.
Speaking at press conference, held at Freedom House, Robb Street, Dr Ramsammy explained that in addition to controlling the majority in the National Assembly, the political opposition fought to control the majority on the Parliamentary Management Committee, which has always had equal representation.
“I made a passionate plea,” he said, adding that Selman was the only one from the opposition benches to agree with him.
According to him, Selman was consequently replaced as sitting member of the Parliamentary Management Committee at its next meeting.
“She was a voice of reason,” Dr Ramsammy said.
Additionally, following her departure from APNU, Selman detailed, in an explosive interview, the deliberate sabotage of Guyana’s development by the political opposition parties, now the Alliance of APNU and the Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC).
The former APNU MP has since been seen on the campaign trail, advancing the agenda of the PPP/C.
Her debut was at a public meeting held at Yarrowkabra. One of several speakers, Selman was pictured there in a red shirt (red being the PPP/C signature colour) and received a rousing welcome from PPP/C supporters. Her most recent appearance was at Sunday’s official launch of the PPP/C 2015 election campaign at Kitty, where she also spoke and received welcoming cheers from party supporters.
Photographs of appearances on the PPP/C campaign trail have since been circulated on social media, where she has also been endorsed. Her former colleague party member, James Bond, was one of the many who expressed support for her. “All the best Africo,” he said on the popular social media site, Facebook.