Former PNCR youth leader Lance Smith backs Pres Ali for 2nd term

Another former People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) member has publicly endorsed President Dr Irfaan Ali and the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government for a second term in office.
Former General Secretary of the Guyana Youth and Student Movement (GYSM), the youth arm of the PNCR, Lance Smith, has thrown his support behind Ali ahead of the General and Regional Elections slated for later this year.

“…Come this election, I am voting for a second term for His Excellency,” Smith said at a public meeting that President Ali attended on Wednesday afternoon at the West Demerara Secondary School in Region Three (Essequibo Islands – West Demerara).
Smith broke ties with the PNC and joined the PPP in 2023, to contest the Local Government Elections for the ruling party. The PPP/C had won 19 of the 20 seats at the Uitvlugt-Tuschen Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC).
According to the former GYSM leader, he decided to switch parties after witnessing the destruction the PNC-led A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) regime caused while in office from 2015 to 2020. Similarly, he paid attention to the Ali-led Administration’s work from 2020 to 2023, and was impressed with the President’s leadership.

Hence, when he received the call in 2023 to campaign for the PPP/C, Smith said the decision was easy.
“That conversation was about two minutes and by the end of it, I said ‘yes, I’m on board.’ Because not only was I convinced, I already saw what kind of person the President was as he was doing his work from 2020 to 2023… This is a man who have the interest of people and it’s genuine – we can guarantee that. This is a man who’ll reach down to whatever level you are at the bottom and help in anyway, he can – we have seen that,” he recalled.
Supported by the PPP/C Administration, Smith noted that there has been tremendous work done at the Uitvlugt-Tuschen NDC, including rehabilitation of roads that were previously neglected by the Coalition. In fact, he noted that following a visit by the President, some 50 households in the area have since benefitted from the black giant chicken programme and are now producing fresh eggs and meat.
According to the former PNCR youth leader, he is ready to give President Ali another term in office after witness his work over the years.
“There [are] two characters I admire and love about the President, and because of those two characters, for me, I am going to give him a second term… Our president is a man who loves the people. We’ve seen him in the DJ [booth], we’ve seen him on the ground, we’ve seen him in the cricket, we’ve seen him amongst the people and so, because of his love for the people, I endorsed that.”
“And more importantly, for me, our President is a man who has respect for the basic unit that makes up our community and our country, by extension, – the family. Without a doubt, I can safely say our President is family-oriented and very dedicated to his family,” Smith posited.
His support comes mere days after another former member of the PNCR Central Committee member, Thandi McAllister, also publicly endorsed President Ali for another term in office.
McAllister, who had left the PNCR in 2021 over its leadership’s lack of aspirations, has now thrown her support behind the vision of the Ali-led PPP/C Government for the 2025 polls.
In brief remarks at a community outreach at Belle West in Canal No.2 Polder, West Bank Demerara on Sunday, McAllister declared, “I joined forces with my brother and friend, Irfaan, because I believe in his vision – a vision which he personally outlined to me.”
According to McAllister, Guyanese have witnessed the unprecedented development unfolding across the country, mainly as a result of the efforts and vision of the Ali-led Administration. She added that this transformation could be even greater under the PPP/C.
“As a young person, I feel this is a grand time to be alive in this Cooperative Republic… These elections that are upcoming will determine the future for this country… So, I want to encourage you to stay the course with my friend and brother.”
“You have seen, first hand, the development from 2020 to date, imagine what he will do with another term. I trust his vision, I trust his word… And I’m saying to you, trust him with another term; trust him with Guyana’s future. He has demonstrated that he is the man for all citizens. He has demonstrated that he is a President of the people, by the people and for the people,” the former PNCR executive stated.
McAllister, who was the Chairperson for the PNC’s Region Three arm, went on to lobby for the PPP/C, saying “…and Region Three, in these elections, your votes are critical!”
Both McAllister and Smith have now joined other PNC members – the likes of former Parliamentarian, James Bond – who have shown support for President Ali.
Back in January, Bond, an Attorney-at-law and businessman, James Bond, endorsed Ali for a second term in office during a public engagement the Head of State had with residents of Melanie on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD).
“President Ali, [he’s] one person who always remembered me. Since he was a Minister, he always remembered me. He is a friend to me, and I’m giving you my full support for a second term. I’ve said it publicly,” Bond had declared.
Bond has been out of the political limelight since 2020 but has been seen at several state events organised by the PPP/C Government.
Meanwhile, PNCR Leader, Aubrey Norton, has indicated that he was not concerned about other PNC members following suit and switching alliance ahead of the upcoming 2025 elections.