‘I just need to rest’ – Granger looks forward to returning as Leader of PNC/R

Offering clarity to media reports that he has taken a leave of absence with no clear indication of a return date, Leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R) and former Head of State David Granger on Friday said that he needs rest.

Granger asserted that he remains the leader of PNC/R and explained that the ‘temporary’ leave of absence is to enjoy a brief vacation with his wife and family. It took effect from September 1, 2021.

“I did this because I was on the go for over 10 years.

“It’s been a hectic decade for me and I feel that at this time I need to go on vacation,” Granger said in a brief video statement posted to his party’s Facebook page on Friday.

The Party’s congress had elected Granger as the presidential candidate in February 2011 after which he led the Party into three General and Regional Elections in 2011, 2015 and 2020 and two Local Government Elections in 2016 and 2018.

“I used to insist that all public servants should take their vacations and Parliamentarians should enjoy their recess. There’s a reason why people go on leave and there is a reason why I go on leave. I just need to rest.

“There is nothing surreptitious about me going on leave; I just want to spend time with my wife and look forward to return to the job,” the former President claimed.

The News Room has learnt that Chairman of the Party Volda Lawrence will act as leader in Granger’s absence. Granger had previously conceded that there is growing disapproval of his leadership of the PNC/R but denied internal chaos and confusion within the party.

The former President has been up against a bombardment of criticism since his defeat at the March 2020 elections.

“Mr. Granger has not demitted office as Party Leader. He will be spending his vacation in Guyana,” a subsequent statement from the PNC/R noted on Friday.