DR Bharrat Jagdeo’s speech at the Patentia Market Square points out a key truth about modern Guyana; the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has created a political formula worth supporting for another five years.

The party’s strong investment in young leadership, along with its successful record of inclusive governance, makes it the best choice for Guyana’s ongoing transformation.

What stands out in the PPP/C’s 2025 campaign is its boldness in demographics. With 27 candidates under 25 and another 16 under 40, the party is making an unprecedented commitment to youth leadership. This isn’t just a token gesture; it recognises that Guyana’s booming oil economy needs new ideas and innovative thinking.

Dr Jagdeo’s rise from minister in his 20s to president in his 30s illustrates this belief in empowering young people. While other parties struggle with aging leaders, the PPP/C is focused on nurturing young talent that reflects the diversity and vibrancy of present-day Guyana.

Critics may see this as mere political strategy, but the PPP/C’s achievements speak for themselves.

Since regaining power in 2020, the party has fulfilled over 90 per cent of its manifesto promises, creating 50,000 to 60,000 jobs, distributing more than 33,000 house lots, and granting scholarships to 50,000 individuals.

This isn’t just good governance; it’s remarkable execution in a region where political commitments often fall short after elections. The party has reversed over 200 taxes imposed by the previous government while also enhancing infrastructure and social services, demonstrating financial skills that opposition parties have consistently failed to match.

The PPP/C’s focus on representation should be especially commended. Its candidate roster includes nearly 40 per cent women, exceeding constitutional requirements, and represents all of Guyana’s ethnic groups—Afro-Guyanese, Indo-Guyanese, Amerindians, Mixed-Race, Portuguese, and Chinese. This diversity translates into inclusive policies. At the party’s recent campaign launch, over 20,000 attendees formed a genuinely multiracial crowd, a notable difference from the uniform gatherings typical of opposition events. This visual proof of “One Guyana” reflects real policy successes that have benefitted all ethnic groups.

The fragmentation of opposition parties adds further weight to the case for PPP/C continuity. With six parties approved to compete and alliances among them breaking down, Guyana faces a mathematical reality where division helps the unified. Academic studies show that the country’s proportional representation system favours consolidated political movements over fragmented ones. Though 22 parties initially wanted to run in the elections, splits among the opposition create a situation where the PPP/C’s united front becomes more advantageous.

Dr Jagdeo rightly identifies the PPP/C as Guyana’s only true national party, and evidence backs this up. Opposition events often lack the ethnic diversity found in PPP/C gatherings and frequently depend on paid attendance rather than genuine support. This demographic honestly reflects deeper policy commitments. The PPP/C manages oil revenue wisely, using petroleum income for only 37 per cent of the national budget and generating the rest through economic diversification, demonstrating responsible governance beyond ethnic lines.

The party’s youth strategy goes beyond just representation; it aims for real empowerment. The Progressive Youth Organisation reports over 6,000 new young members from recent camps and conferences. This surge indicates real enthusiasm for the PPP/C’s vision, moving away from traditional patronage politics. Young Guyanese see that the party provides genuine chances for advancement and meaningful engagement in the country’s governance.

Guyana finds itself at a crucial moment where oil wealth could either support sustainable development or lead to the feared “resource curse.” The PPP/C’s plan—investing oil revenues in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and economic diversification—offers the responsible governance that this moment requires. With projected oil revenues exceeding US$12 billion from 2025 to 2028, the country needs leaders who grasp the opportunities and risks associated with sudden wealth.

Dr Jagdeo’s message resonates because it blends proven ability with visionary leadership. The PPP has changed Guyana from one of the poorest countries in the hemisphere to its fastest-growing economy, while preserving democratic governance and social unity. Opposition parties provide no comparable success stories, relying instead on ethnic appeals and empty promises.

Guyana deserves leadership that represents its diversity, understands its challenges and has the skills to navigate new opportunities.

The PPP’s candidate list, policy record, and vision for inclusive development make it the clear choice for voters who value national progress over political spectacles. Dr Jagdeo and his team have earned another term through their actions, not just words.