Former Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Chief-of-Staff Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips has been selected as the prime ministerial candidate of the opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) for the March 2nd general and regional elections.
The party announced last evening that Phillips had been “unanimously endorsed” at a PPP Central Committee meeting yesterday afternoon at Freedom House, hours after former parliamentarian Juan Edghill withdrew himself from consideration for the post.
Apart from Edghill, University of Guyana lecturer Hugh Todd was also a prospective candidate to be the running mate of PPP/C presidential candidate Irfaan Ali. With Ali not gaining overwhelming support within the party, analysts have said that the PPP would be aiming to ensure the broadest national acceptance possible of its number two candidate.
Phillips and Edghill had emerged as early contenders for the position, with Todd emerging as a possible challenger with the potential for appealing to younger voters.
When contacted by Stabroek News about his selection, Phillips, a member of the Civic component of the ticket, said he was on a call and asked to be contacted at a later time. Repeated attempts to contact him afterwards were unsuccessful.
In a statement announcing Phillip’s selection, the PPP yesterday noted that he has had a long and distinguished career in the GDF spanning nearly four decades and culminating with his appointment as the eight Chief-of-Staff, a post which he held from September, 2013 until he retired in October, 2016. “As a member of the Army, Mr. Phillips, held a number of crucial leadership positions at various levels and ranks and his consistent upward mobility clearly demonstrated that he acquitted himself with distinction in every position held,” the party said.
It noted that he received vast military training, certification, military decorations, medals, awards and honours, both locally, as well as, in the Caribbean, South America, Central America, the United States of America, Canada and the prestigious Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
In addition, it said Phillips possesses a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Management, a Master’s Degree in Public Management and several post-graduate diplomas in defence planning and various areas of management.
According to the party, Phillips is “well qualified and equipped” to partner with the PPP as its prime ministerial candidate “as it strides forward to win the upcoming elections and form the next Government of Guyana.” It added that the party’s leadership and its supporters expect him “to serve all the people of Guyana in accordance with the high PPP tradition of discipline, dedication, loyalty and commitment, both in and out of Government.”
Phillips’ military bona fides are seen as a counterweight to the army credentials of the present administration, which is replete with former senior army personnel, including President David Granger.
‘Bigger picture’
Edghill, by way of a letter to PPP General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo, which he released to the press, bowed out of the race to be the party’s candidate as he said wanted a “consensus candidate” to emerge from the selection process.
“I consider it a great honour to have been nominated [as] a possible candidate for the PPP/C’s Prime Ministerial position in the March 2020 elections. The support and words of encouragement from leaders and members within the party [have] been extremely heartening,” he wrote.
Edghill, who had served in the last PPP/C government as Junior Finance Minister, noted that he had publicly indicated that he was “willing and able” to serve in the capacity of the candidate.
“Notwithstanding, the popular views expressed by persons known and unknown to me, and the embrace by our activists and comrades throughout the country and in the Diaspora, subsequent to the commencement of this process, I engaged in deeper personal reflection and prayerful consideration,” he added, before announcing his preference for a consensus candidate to emerge from this process.
“The bigger picture of an electoral victory for the PPP/C trumps personal ambition and desires,” he wrote. “After a relentless and difficult struggle against this Granger-led regime, ensuring there are no encumbrances to victory and the preservation of unity among our supporters is paramount.”
While indicating his belief that his withdrawal was of “strategic value,” Edghill assured of his “continuous commitment and dedication” to the causes of restoring democracy, ensuring transformation and a new wave of prosperity grounded on principles of good governance, transparency and accountability. “I remain a committed member of this team that will achieve this for Guyana and all Guyanese,” he added.
In its statement, the PPP paid recognition to Edghill’s “tremendous contribution” in “championing the cause of all of our people, both in the National Assembly and across the length and breadth of Guyana, against a corrupt, incompetent and unconstitutional Granger-led Government.”
It said it was heartened by the assurance given that he remains a committed team player, who will work to ensure a resounding PPP/C victory at the upcoming polls. “We wish to assure all Guyanese that Bishop Edghill remains a valued and valuable member of our team and will certainly play a critical role in the next PPP/C Administration, in executing our manifesto promises to the electorate,” it added, before thanking him, Phillips and Todd for participating in the selection process.
Former Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Elisabeth Harper, was the prime ministerial candidate for the PPP/C’s unsuccessful 2015 elections campaign, for which she replaced Samuel Hinds, who had served since 1992.
