Rohee says no decision yet on holding of PPP Congress

…can be postponed without reasons given

Delivering disappointing news for some, People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) General Secretary Clement Rohee disclosed that no decision has yet been made on the holding of the Party’s General Congress.
According to the Party’s Constitution, a General Congress is to be held this year during which party members will be afforded the opportunity to discuss a number of issues as well as nominate and elect new leaders.
Even after dismissing these suggestions, reports continue to insinuate that the gathering will be postponed owing to the alleged internal conflicts within the Party, particularly between Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo and Rohee.
However, during a press conference on Monday, Rohee explained that there is a process that needs to be followed with regards to the holding of the Party’s congress.
“The Executive Committee considers the matter but the final decision and members at the Executive Committee level are free to ventilate their views, we have a lot of passionate discussions and views, to extent that people misinterpret, outside of the PPP, to believe that the PPP was cracking up,” he stated referring to the media reports.
He then explained that the decision goes to the Central Committee where it is further discussed and then determined.
Rohee, a member of the Central Committee, said he does not want to prejudge the decision taken by the Committee.
Nonetheless, he explained that the Constitution of the Party stipulates that only the Central Committee can postpone the Congress.
“It doesn’t have to give any specific reasons why they are postponing the congress…The members themselves would discuss among and determine wither they would hold it this year or not,” he stated.
Rohee clarified, “It’s nothing to do with Rohee and Jagdeo, we are part of that body and we will also express our views.”
Just last week, the General Secretary was forced to reject rumours of an immense power struggle within the party.
He was at the time responding to an article which stated that there was a rift among senior executive members over who should be the presidential candidate for the General and Regional Election and the information was accredited to a “source”; with some members rooting for former Housing Minister Irfaan Ali while others are backing former Culture Youth and Sports Minister Dr Frank Anthony.
The article also pointed out that former President and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has his mind set on serving a third term as president after former Chief Justice Ian Chang (AG) ruled that the two-term presidential term-limit is unconstitutional.
It is also rumoured that Rohee has presidential aspirations however when previously prompted on this, the General Secretary refused to comment.