By Vishani Ragobeer
APNU+AFC Member of Parliament Roysdale Forde SC, who was a potential contender for the position of leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R), has thrown his support behind Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon.
At the launch of Harmon’s campaign for the leadership of the PNC/R on Thursday night, Forde gave the last but ringing endorsement of the Opposition Leader. As part of his endorsement, Forde highlighted the qualities of previous leaders of the party: their commitment and faithfulness to the party, their professional track record and their respect for authority.
Forde fervently emphasised that Harmon had those qualities. And this, Forde said, is what made Harmon the man for the job.
Veteran politicians Aubrey Norton and Dr. Richard Van West Charles have confirmed that they will be contesting for the leadership as well. But, Forde did not believe that they were up to the task of leading the party. The PNC/R is the largest constituent in the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) coalition party that joined with the Alliance for Change (AFC) and formed the government in 2015.
Importantly, Forde gave a stinging rebuke of damaging sentiments made by others in the PNC/R.
“A leader that is divisive or perceived to be divisive cannot advance the cause of the supporters of the PNC/R and cannot much more advance the cause and the interest of the people Guyana as a whole.
“We must not use statements, we must not use euphemisms, we must not use the word ‘grassroots’ to mean a return or an acknowledgement that the PNC/R is a ‘black people party’. It is not, it has never been and it must never be,” Forde categorically stated.
And the Shadow Attorney General posited that Harmon has the ability to unite the party and its supporters but also help to advance the unification of Guyana at large.
Harmon’s moderate campaign launch event, hosted at the Herdmanston Lodge in Georgetown, was attended by other prominent members of the PNC/R. These include General Secretary of the party Amna Ally and Parliamentarians Nicolette Henry, Dr. Karen Cummings, Annette Ferguson, Coretta McDonald and Ganesh Mahipaul.
An endorsement of Harmon was also given by Chairman of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Four Daniel Seeram, who is viewed as one of the young, rising stars of the party. Seeram, however, told the Opposition Leader that he will be held accountable for all that he sets out to do.
Does he also endorse Lowenfield, Mingo, and Myers for top Gecom Staff? This is indeed breaking news. This is why he is called Senior.