President David Granger is predicting that his coalition – A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) – government will be re-elected in regional and general elections on March 2 next year.
“I look forward to the continuation of the coalition in office,” Granger said on the inaugural edition of “INSIDE Sources,” on Sunday night.
“My first tenure as president brought stability, brought development. We have not been able to fulfil all of our objectives, but I have been able to inspire confidence in the bulk to the population that we should be allowed to continue our work.”
Granger’s coalition administration was defeated in a vote of no confidence that had been filed by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo last December after a government legislator sided with the main opposition People’s Progressive PartyCivic (PPP/C), in ensuring that the government lost the slender one-seat majority it had enjoyed in the 65-member National Assembly.
Although the constitution had called for the elections to be held 90 days after the passage of the motion of no confidence, unless an extension had been provided by the Parliament, court challenges led to the matter being finally resolved in July when the Trinidad-based Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) ruling that the motion was legal.
The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is now in the process of preparing for the polls, even though the PPP/C had called for an election date earlier than March 2, next year.
Granger said citizens know he will do his “utmost to deliver quality public service to them so they and their children could live happily in this country”.
He said citizens should place the country’s faith in his hands because he “represents a broad coalition…in which I welcome parties who share our common ideas, people who are prepared to work for the common good wherever they come from.
“I want the people of Guyana to look and say there are people in the coalition who speak for me, I am inclusive.”
Granger, 77, who is expected to face the PPP/C’s candidate Irfaan Ali, in the election for the position of head of state, said he was not too worried about his opponent.
“Mr. Ali represents a different mind-set, a different ideology. I represent an inclusive ideology… I represent bringing people from all of the geographic regions… I am the one running a six-party coalition. He is saying if you want to serve come into the PPP. I am not telling anyone to come into the PNC. I am telling them to come into a big benab where their views will be listened to and the interests of their constituents will be satisfied.”
Granger, who has been travelling to Cuba for medical treatment for cancer, told the programme he is fit enough to carry out his duties and functions.
“I am strong enough, based on the support I get from my partnership and the coalition to see the campaign through. I have covered many engagements over the last six weeks… I am strong enough, and citizens will see more of me in the coming weeks.”
He is also promising Guyanese he would have a cabinet comprising people “who are incorruptible and un-bribable.
“The people of Guyana must be satisfied that their ministers are honest and that they are possessed with sufficient knowledge to take advice from the experts. We are looking for people who are committed to Guyana,” he said, adding that the selection process is not random.
“It’s not a lotto, it’s not a game of nomination, it has to be very careful selection, is this the best candidate, in every respect.” (CMC)