OPPOSITION Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, said he has outlined the process which the Peoples’ Progressive Party will follow for the naming of its Prime Ministerial candidate.

Jagdeo, who was speaking at his weekly press conference at his office on Church Street on Thursday, noted that he made it clear to the party that the person who will be selected to be that party’s Prime Ministerial candidate will be chosen from the Civic component of the party.

He said this selection is expected to be made sometime late in November as the party anticipates Nomination Day to be in January 2020.

Jagdeo, who was responding to questions on whether the party has engaged former army chief Brigadier Mark Phillips for the top post, said that he met with the former military leader and he (Jagdeo) indicated to him that he would be a welcomed addition to the opposition party. Jagdeo said Phillips indicated his willingness to be a part of the PPP.

As he explained the selection process, Jagdeo said the Prime Ministerial candidate could be nominated by members of the Central Executive Committee of the party and Members of Parliament of the party can also nominate a candidate. He said the party will treat each name on its merit

The PPP’s engagement with Phillips to occupy a leading role in the party is a U-turn taken by the party since the party has heavily criticized the governing APNU+AFC for appointing former military officials in key positions of the public sector.

Phillips moved up the ranks to Chief of Command under the Donald Ramotar presidency. He retired in 2016.