Former president Donald Ramotar is undecided as to whether he will be participating in Independence Day observance activities.
Ramotar told Stabroek News yesterday that he had not yet made a decision and shied away from answering when asked if he had received an invitation from the APNU+AFC administration requesting his attendance.
People’s Progressive Party General Secretary Clement Rohee told Stabroek News that he was not aware of any invitation to him stemming from the government. He said he doubted whether the party will be participating, in any events that will be alongside the new administration. This is likely in line with the party’s contention that the May 11, 2015 General and Regional Elections were not free and fair.
On Thursday Ramotar and former minsters picketed the Guyana Elections Commission (Gecom) demanding a recount and seeking the resignation of Chairman Dr Steve Surujbally.
Since the results of the elections were announced the opposition party has been intensely campaigning over what it deems as data variances and demanding of a recount.
Minister of State Joseph Harmon told Stabroek News on Sunday, “Under my hand, I have written to the General Secretary of the PPP inviting them to the Independence celebration…to be a part of it and I trust that in the interest of national unity, a response in a very positive way.”
President David Granger said last week that after making an informal request to the PPP to partner with the new government for national unity, a formal request will be dispatched soon.
During his first address to the nation after being sworn in as President two Saturdays ago, Granger said he would have liked to see more ex-ministers and even Ramotar present because it would have been an illustration of their commitment to inclusionary democracy. “I extend the arm of friendship to former president Donald Ramotar…to join this movement of national unity,” he had said to the deafening applause from the crowd, including coalition members and other invitees at the event.
The PPP denied any formal or informal request had been made and in a statement said, “To date, we have received no formal or informal invitation from the APNU+AFC on this issue. The pronouncement, therefore of Granger, is a political gimmick and nothing else.
“The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) wishes to label as deceptive the pronouncements made in the press by Leader of the APNU+AFC Coalition David Granger that he has invited the PPP/C to join ‘a national unity movement’.”
