In addition to lacking any plans of substance for the development of the country and its people, General Secretary of the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) Dr Bharrat Jagdeo has pointed out that the so-far named competitors for the upcoming elections also lack competence and experience in governance and leadership.
He made the comparisons during his press conference on Thursday, where he noted that the electorate should consider three important metrics – experience, competence, and trustworthiness – when choosing which group of politicians should lead the country in the next five years.
Highlighting the knowledge of the PPP’s Presidential Candidate, Dr Irfaan Ali as not only President but a Minister of Government pre-2015, Jagdeo recalled “he had several portfolios; housing – in a period when we had one of the largest expansion in the housing programme, he was Minister of Tourism at the same time and the water sector.”
By extension, Ali was involved in Cabinet meetings where he contributed to discussions on various topics and represented Guyana on several international platforms during his presidency, Jagdeo said.
He also spoke of the portfolio of Prime Minister Mark Phillips who was the head of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and commanded the respect of his ranks. Jagdeo also reflected on Phillips’ tenure as Prime Minister and the critical sectors he oversees including ICT.
In comparison, the PPP General Secretary referred to Leader of the Peoples National Congress (PNC)- led A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Presidential Candidate Aubrey Norton as “a little league,” who operated around the periphery of the party structure both in government and at the party level. During his party’s tenure in Government (2015-2020), Norton served as an Advisor to the Government.
Meanwhile, Member of Parliament Juretha Fernandes who is touted to be his running mate, was the Confidential Secretary to the former Prime Minister up to 2020.
“No management skill…that’s the leadership of their ticket now, two persons who are charlatans, novices, who have never really negotiated a loan, they have never engaged in politics even at a major level,” Jagdeo said adding that even the APNU’s support team also has no years of technical experience.
He noted that the Alliance For Change (AFC) Leader and potential presidential candidate Nigel Hughes is now pleading for a space with the APNU coalition.
Switching his attention to former PNC Member Amanza Walton-Desir who this week resigned from the PNC to form a new party – Forward Guyana – worked at the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) from 2013 to 2020 before becoming a Member of Parliament.
Jagdeo also reminded of her track record of racist utterances.
Meanwhile, other small parties include the A New and United Guyana (ANUG) and Vigilant Political Action Committee (VPAC) were not spared in the assessment.
Jagdeo noted that the leader of ANUG Mark Defrance failed to garner more than three votes in his hometown of New Amsterdam during the last Local Government Elections while VPAC’s Dorwain Bess was made famous by a fuel scandal under the last APNU+AFC government.
With regards to United States-sanctioned businessman Azruddin Mohamed, who launched his political party called “We Invest in Nationhood”, Jagdeo said the only competency he possesses is in “smuggling gold and submitting false invoices”.
He was referring to US sanctions instituted against Mohamed for gold smuggling and the ongoing issue between the businessman and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) surrounding evaded taxes.
“You just contrast that and think about entrusting the future of Guyana at this time in the hands of that group versus an Irfaan Ali-Mark Phillips ticket supported by a party that has kept his promise to the people,” Jagdeo emphasised.
The PPP General Secretary also highlighted that his party has outlined several plans for its second term in office while the other parties have not even decided on their platforms.
Political parties desirous of contesting the September 1 General and Regional Elections are required to submit their names and symbols to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on June 22 followed by their List of Candidates on July 14.
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