With several Afro-Guyanese newcomers to the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) facing criticisms, President Dr. Irfaan Ali has called on them to “remain strong.” The new supporters were revealed on Nomination Day Monday ahead of Local Government elections.
In an early morning address from his official residence – State House – Dr. Ali rejected claims that the PPP/C had bought the support of prominent Afro- Guyanese in the sporting and political fields to bolster its image for the elections.
Nothing can be further from the truth, the Head of State asserted.
“For us every community, every region, every Guyanese is valuable.
“We welcome the newcomers to the party on this journey to build better communities and a better country while fostering development for our brothers and sisters.
Dr. Ali said his attention was drawn to comments coming from leaders in sport and politics and said he was appalled by the comments.
He singled out Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton.
“People who call themselves national coaches and assistant coaches. I have been reading comments from the Leader of Opposition… and some of the statements he is making is of great cause for concern,” Dr. Ali added.
“That backward type of politics, that disheartening type of politics is something for the past. That can’t win anymore, that can’t bring people together, that age old strategy of yours has died. You cannot disparage people this way,” the President said.
He asserted that Afro- Guyanese have the capacity to think and analyse for themselves as he denounced what he called disrespect and added that Monday’s revelations were a demonstration of the incubation of new leadership for a unified Guyana.
Former Mayor of Georgetown, Patricia Chase-Green as well as former councillors, Malcolm Ferreira and Tricia Richardson, have all crossed the political floor in support of the People’s Progressive Party / Civic (PPP/C) in the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGE).
Other surprises on Monday were national footballer Jeremey Garrett, former national cricketer and businessman Steven Jacobs and former Citizenship Initiative executive Alfonso De Armas.
