“Give us a chance this time” – Jagdeo urges G/town residents to vote PPP/C at LGE

…says 57 years of PNC-led Council has done nothing to improve capital city
– PNC leader urges supporters not to lose heart; confident of retaining strongholds

With over 2000 candidates and more than 26,000 backers, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) is contesting Local Government Elections (LGE) in all available constituencies. When it comes to Georgetown, Vice President and PPP General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo has a message for voters – “Give the party a chance to govern the city properly”.

Jagdeo spoke of how the PPP Administration has transformed the landscape of the city through a number of developmental projects as he pointed to what the party can really do to change the lives of Georgetown citizens if it gets the chance to run the City Council.
“Here in the city, APNU has controlled Georgetown for 57 years since independence. The PPP has never had a chance to run the city. We had a chance to come into office and change the face of our country. And today more people are getting access to jobs, education, and healthcare. And we’re focusing on developing communities right across Guyana.”

“Every time we’ve been in office, our country has moved forward. They can’t claim the same thing. But we’ve never had a chance to run the city and show that the same things we do at the national level, we can do for the citizens. And we’re saying to the residents of Georgetown, give us a chance in 2023. Give us a chance here.”
Meanwhile, Jagdeo also used the opportunity to welcome the many newcomers to the party. He also lambasted the APNU Opposition for continuing to attempt to bully persons of Afro-Guyanese descent who join the PPP/C, reminding them that it is a free country and persons can join the political party of their choice.

“I had the opportunity to pass by the PNC camp, as so many of you did. And it was a very mediocre showing on the part of the PNC. And the reason why it’s mediocre is that they’re living with an old ideology. And we’re demonstrating in this party that the only way forward in a lasting way for development in this country is if all our people work together regardless of their race.”
“For a very long time, they’ve characterised the PPP as a racist party. But a few weeks ago, at Babu Jaan I said we’re the only multi-racial party in this country. And once again, today, we’ve demonstrated this. And those of you who are new to us, you would see that once you become part of this family, as you now are, you will see we warmly embrace our family,” Jagdeo said, to applause.

A unified list
Meanwhile, President Dr Irfaan Ali spoke of the unified list they had submitted to contest LGE in Georgetown. According to him, the list reflects the “One Guyana” philosophy that his Administration has been pioneering.
“A list that speaks about the unity of purpose, unity of hope. And as we advance on this campaign, in this Local Government Elections, we are moving together as a people, to uplift our communities. Uplift the lives of citizens all across our country.”

“We are committed to a unified purpose. And that unified purpose is to bring prosperity to every single home in Guyana. So we’re going to come with you, community by community. In every single town. Because our message is the same message all across the country,” Ali said.
Meanwhile, Ali debunked the propaganda of APNU/AFC that sought to discredit the Afro-Guyanese joining the party. The President applauded them for taking a principled stand that puts their communities and their country above partisan interests.
“I want to say to all the new faces that have joined us. We welcome you. With open arms and with love. And you are part of a movement that is committed to national development. You are part of a movement that is committed to the upliftment of every single Guyanese. And today, you have joined us so that we can send an even stronger message that this is truly a national party. A party representing every single strata of the Guyanese society.”
“The propagandists and the intellectual authors, they have already started trying to discredit you. Trying to make you feel insecure. But your only message to them must be you have taken a stand. And that stand is the interest of your communities, the interests of Guyana, and the interest of Guyanese. In that stand, you cannot lose,” the President further said.

PNC
Meanwhile, Opposition Leader and People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Head Aubrey Norton went to Woolford Avenue sometime after his party had entered to submit their list of candidates. In a video afterwards, Norton appealed to supporters not to lose heart after the PPP/C’s showing.
“We must stay focused. We know from our support base on the ground that they will support us and we will beat the PPP in all our strongholds and other areas,” Norton said while addressing his party’s supporters.
APNU candidate Troy Garraway, who went into Critchlow Labour College to submit the party’s candidate list to GECOM, was also confident of his party’s chances in what are traditional strongholds of the PNCR.
“We’re contesting these elections for several reasons. One is that we cannot allow the other parties to take control of our base…,” Garraway said, in explaining why the party is contesting the elections.
Guyana Youth and Student Movement (GYSM) Chairman Kibwe Copeland, who at 30 years old is one of APNU’s more youthful candidates, also expressed support for his party. According to him, he is less than confident in the other available parties and thus threw his support behind the Opposition party.
“Other parties, of course, yes, they have the right to contest. But I’m not so confident in their policies and approach to governance. And that is why I, myself and team, will go forward as young people, even senior folk, to make sure to uphold democracy and, of course, bring that vibrance and energy to local democracy.” (G-3)