Former PNC stalwart, Burnham’s son-in-law backs Ali for second term

…cities national unity, proven leadership

Former Central Executive Member of the People’s National Congress (PNC) and son-in-law of former president Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham, Dr Richard Van-West Charles, has announced his endorsement of President Dr. Irfaan Ali for a second term in office.

Speaking during a recent social media post Van-West Charles highlighted that the consideration of national unity is very critical at this point in time for Guyanese.
“National unity is very critical, bringing our people together and ensuring that our people have access to different levels of resources for them to be able to create wealth for themselves. So the leadership at this juncture of our country becomes very critical. A leader who has a vision, a leader who understands the import of national unity, and a leader who can deliver,” he explained.
In this regard, he posited that over the last four and a half years, President Ali has worked assiduously to ensure that there is increasing participation of citizens, based on the resources emanating from the petroleum industry and other industries.
“His plans have been able to deliver. So, as we move now further to deepen the development of the oil and gas industry, we need someone who has proven leadership in the use of the resources in a constructive and equitable manner,” he noted.
He stressed that these are the three characteristics that in-depth focus should be leaned on. He also stated that over the last four years, the country has been able to witness and palpate the performance of President Ali.
Van-West Charles stressed that President Ali has worked assiduously to ensure that there is increasing participation of our people, based on the resources emanating from the petroleum industry and other industries.
“I have been in politics for more than 35–40 years. I have functioned both nationally and internationally. My association politically, as you all know, has been within the People’s National Congress. I, however, feel at this juncture, the importance of moving forward and, in the continuum of development as a nationalist, I have no hesitation in underscoring and supporting President Mohamed Irfaan Ali as our next president and next leader of our dear land of Guyana,” he expressed.
This has not been the first endorsing statement from various officials. In fact, a series of endorsements has been expressed ahead of the 2025 General and Regional Elections.
Only on Wednesday, Leader of the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP), Lenox Shuman, formally declared his party’s endorsement and support for the ruling People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) and President Dr. Irfaan Ali.
In a video posted on social media on Wednesday, Shuman reflected on his personal sacrifices and political journey, including relinquishing his Canadian citizenship in 2020 to fully invest in Guyana’s future.
“I did this because I believe in the potential of Guyana and what Guyana can and will be,” he said.
Shuman, who previously served as Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, detailed his long-standing advocacy for Indigenous rights and his tenure as Toshao of Pakuri (St. Cuthbert’s Mission) and Vice Chairman of the National Toshaos Council (NTC). He described first-hand experiences of discrimination and neglect under the APNU+AFC (A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance For Change) coalition, particularly in relation to Amerindian land titling and rights.
Citing what he described as APNU+AFC’s refusal to support Indigenous advancement, highlighted by an official’s refusal to issue land titles, Shuman argued that the PPP/C had demonstrated real commitment to Indigenous development since regaining office in 2020.
Shuman listed a sweeping array of PPP/C-led achievements as the basis for his party’s endorsement, including restoration of Indigenous land titling efforts; reinstatement of Community Support Officers (CSOs); nationwide cash grants and scholarships; free education from nursery to PhD; over 50,000 house lots allocated and more than 50,000 jobs created; implementation of the Low Carbon Development Strategy with direct payments to Indigenous communities; infrastructure investments including roads, housing, and electrification in hinterland areas; and international leadership on climate and territorial sovereignty issues, including Guyana’s ICJ case against Venezuela.
Further highlighting what he called “visionary and dynamic leadership,” he lauded President Irfaan Ali, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, and Prime Minister Mark Phillips for delivering growth, development, and global respect for Guyana.
Also, earlier this week, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) appointed Regional Chairman of Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Daniel Seeram, threw his support behind the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) for the upcoming elections.
Shazaam Ally, a founding and executive member of The Citizenship Initiative (TCI), would also be joining the ruling PPP/C, ahead of the 2025 General and Regional Elections. In a statement, Ally said the decision came after “careful reflection” and years of observing national development under President Dr Irfaan Ali’s leadership.