Former political advisor to Granger endorses Pres. Dr Irfaan Ali

Former Political Advisor under the David Granger administration, Frederick McWilfred, has thrown his support behind incumbent President Dr Irfaan Ali, describing him as the only contender with a credible plan for Guyana’s future.

McWilfred, who once headed the Political Division at the Ministry of the Presidency during Granger’s tenure, endorsed the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) for a second term.

He argued that President Ali stands unchallenged, stating that none of the other political contenders have presented viable strategies to address the country’s development trajectory.

According to McWilfred, President Ali’s leadership is further strengthened by the presence of Vice President (VP) Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, whom he described as one of the most formidable politicians of the era. He suggested that the combination of Ali and Jagdeo provides the PPP/C with a level of political depth and direction unmatched by the opposition. The endorsement comes as Guyana heads toward the September 1 General and Regional Elections, where the governing PPP/C is seeking a renewed mandate.

Earlier this year, Former A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Member of Parliament (MP) and Executive Member of People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R) Jermaine Figueira had called on citizens to reflect on the current PPP/C Administration’s track record and to vote based on vision, performance and national interest – not party loyalties – he openly backs the re-election of President Irfaan Ali, citing tangible development under his leadership.

Figueira, who resigned from the PNC/R and as an APNU/AFC Member of Parliament (MP) ended months of political silence and announced his support for President Ali’s leadership. Among those persons who have recently come forward to endorse the PPP/C are former PNC/R General Secretary (GS) and Opposition Parliamentarian Geeta Chandan-Edmond; Alliance For Change (AFC) Regional Councillor Ismail Muhammad-Al-Cush; and Chairman of the Region Seven division of the AFC, David Daniels. Additionally, Regional Vice Chairman for Region Four and member of the PNC/R, Samuel Sandy, has endorsed the PPP/C. He joined the Executive Member of the PNC/R and Region Four Chairman Daniel Seeram, who also endorsed President Ali for a second term.

Former PNC/R Central Executive member, Dr Richard Van West-Charles said he believed that President Ali was the leader Guyana needed now. Dr Van West-Charles is the son-in-law of former President and founder of the PNC/R, Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham.
In April, former PNC/R member Thandi McAllister also threw her support behind the PPP/C. In 2023, Lance Smith, former GS of the Guyana Youth and Student Movement (GYSM), the youth arm of the PNC/R and former Georgetown Mayor and longstanding PNC/R member Patricia Chase-Green broke ties with the PNC and joined the PPP/C to contest the local Government elections.

Additionally, leaders of smaller parties – The Citizenship Initiative (TCI) – Shaz Ally; The New Movement (TNM) – Dr Asha Kissoon; and the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP) – Lenox Shuman – have also joined the PPP/C ahead of the 2025 General and Regional Elections.