Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee yesterday declared that he would not “shy away” from leading the PPP slate as its presidential candidate at next year’s general elections, adding that he has informed the ruling party of his desire.
Rohee, when asked if he was willing to lead the party into the 2011 general election told reporters that he was not going to “shy away” from such a responsibility. “Goat ain’t bite me,” he said, while addressing the issue during a news conference at his Brickdam office.
Recently, Stabroek News reported that a major cabinet shake-up is on the horizon as the party paves the way for PPP General Secretary Donald Ramotar to become more connected with the citizens, as he is tipped to be its presidential candidate next year.
“You know, once you are an altar boy you aspire one day to become the priest; and then you aspire another day to become the Bishop, and the Pope. Once you are a member of the team, you aspire one day to become the captain. I have been an altar boy. I have been a priest for so many years, and the same thing applies to the team and the captaincy. I would not shy away if the captaincy is entrusted on me,” said Rohee yesterday. He further noted that everyone has a responsibility. He also observed that those who have put forward their names already “have been made by the media.” He said, “I am not being made by the media, I am not made and packaged by any media house, I am made and packaged by people who I have been working with at the party and the party knows my predisposition to this matter because I have informed them….”
Unlike the last two general elections, there is no automatic presidential candidate for the ruling party, owing to the ineligibility of President Bharrat Jagdeo to seek re-election due to a constitutional term-limit.
This newspaper was recently told that an upcoming Cabinet shuffle would facilitate Ramotar being given a portfolio to increase his visibility, since national elections are just around the corner. Sources said that more than likely the party’s General Secretary would head the local government ministry, as this would provide the opportunity for him to travel around the country and connect with the people. Observers have pointed out that while Ramotar has been General Secretary for quite some time and is well known in the party, he is not that well known throughout the country. The talk in the PPP/C party circles is that the race for presidential candidate had been narrowed down between Ramotar and Speaker of the National Assembly Ralph Ramkarran. However, the latter, according to sources, does not appear to have the support of President Jagdeo. Ramkarran has for a number of years been touted as one of the presidential candidate hopefuls. Others had included Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud and MP Moses Nagamootoo. Rohee’s name has never been mentioned.
