Unveiling former city mayor Patricia Chase-Green and broadcaster Malcolm Ferreira as part of its team for the George-town elections, the PPP/C yesterday threw down the gauntlet to APNU in two of its traditional strongholds: South Ruimveldt and Al-bouystown/Charlestown.
As the country gets ready to go to the polls at the June 12 Local Government Election (LGE) there was keen interest on who might have switched sides when the two main contestants presented their lists during yesterday’s Nomi-nation Day proceedings at the Critchlow Labour College (CLC).
The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) attracted several cross-overs from A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and an independent candidate. For its part, APNU showcased several new faces in its team.
Seizing the limelight, Chase-Green switched from her traditional green outfits into the PPP/C’s signature red t-shirt and rallied with party leaders at the CLC.
Questions were immediately raised about what had prompted her switch. While serving on George-town’s City Council since 1994, Chase-Green was a strident critic of the PPP/C and often accused it of interfering with the capital’s development. While serving as Mayor in 2016, Chase-Green was instrumental in sealing the controversial parking meters deal which has left this PPP/C government having to defend a massive lawsuit before a foreign arbitration tribunal.
Over the period she functioned as mayor and for as long as she has been on the council, Chase-Green had also been severely criticised by the PPP/C over her performance.
This all seemed to have been forgiven yesterday.
After handing in the PPP/C’s List of Candidates for the city elections, she declared that she now supports “One Guyana, Unity and Progress” and it was the only reason she joined the PPP/C.
When asked by reporters if she thinks her past at the council will hamper her ability to attract votes, she replied that she was moving forward and believes it would be a “clear win” for the PPP/C”.
Waves
Another candidate making waves was former Team Legacy councillor for the Albouystown/Charlestown Constituency and radio presenter, Ferreira who is also throwing his support behind the PPP/C.
Ferreira said that “The ability to be somewhere you can have access to and work with people who really want to develop communities” is the main reason he joined the PPP/C.
He said that this is not a big switch, but it’s one which all should be afforded the freedom to do.
Ferreira, when asked what can be expected from him, replied that it will be a continuation of what occurred when he was a councillor from 2016-2018. He did not contest the 2018 polls. When he contested the 2016 polls, APNU+AFC had decided not to field a candidate in that constituency.
“I believe not in blowing my own trumpet, but I believe that I would have a track record already as a councillor and the residents of Constituency Ten can attest to the things that I have done, in terms of being there, the largest youth group with hundreds of children, by looking after infrastructure, by looking after single parents, ensuring that school dropouts get the type of investment and love that they need”, Ferreira said.
He maintained that it was time now to work with people that are likeminded.
APNU will now face a serious challenge in what would have been two safe constituencies for it.
National footballer, Jeremy Garrett who was just last week issued a clean-up contract for the Agricola community, has also thrown his support behind the PPP/C
Adding to the PPP/C List of Candidates is current APNU Councillor, Trichria Richards from the East Ruimveldt area.
Former independent candidate Don Singh has also joined up with the PPP/C for the election. Singh had been vocal in disapproval of the controversial parking meter contract.
Newcomer
On the side of APNU, newcomer Phillip Drayton, a drug treatment specialist will be taking up the challenge to secure representation for Constituency 1 – Kingston, Tiger Bay, Alberttown and Queenstown. He said he moved to join up with APNU since he knows the needs of the communities and through APNU’s representation he believes it can be done.
“I’m doing a substantial amount of work in various communities for years. So, I’m actually on the ground to know exactly the number of stuff members of society need, so partnering with the APNU I believe that we can do things quicker and we can come up with strategic ways to see how best we can help members of society”, Drayton said.
Drayton called on members of the public – especially young people – to come out in their numbers to vote.
Another youth candidate, Chairman of the Guyana Youth and Student Movement, Kibwe Copeland will be contesting Constituency 14 where he will come up against Chase-Green.
“People like to say that politics is an old man’s game, a crook’s game, but I have a different view. I believe politics is where you have a place or a role to actually make things better for your country”, Copeland said.
He added that while this is his first rodeo with the LGE, it’s not his first in major politics. It is his belief that young people must play a part in all aspects of politics, and it’s for that reason he decided to join the race.
“This is my first time running for Local Government Elections. I was part of Local Democracy at the RDC Level, that’s after the Regional and General Elections in 2011. What sparked my interest of course is the need to play a part in local democracy, and understand, of course, local democracy is under a threat, and for that main reason myself along with other young councillors and even senior folks, said we must come forward and give our energy, give our vibes, and of course our intuition, our knowledge and support towards local democracy”, Copeland said.
APNU currently controls the City Council with a big majority and is hoping that things will swing in its favour once again. The other holder of seats on the council, the Alliance For Change (AFC) is not contesting.
The current council comprises 22 APNU councillors, six PPP councillors and two AFC councillors
