Latest update November 26th, 2024 1:00 AM
Granger confirms Ramjattan as PM candidate
A statement made by A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) presidential candidate, David Granger, yesterday prompted the Alliance For Change (AFC) to point out that the statement could have the effect of being confusing to the coalition’s supporters and the wider electorate.
APNU, AFC Chairmen David Granger and Khemraj Ramjattan shake hands after signing the revised Accord on Christmas Eve
The statement by Granger, who is the President incumbent at the Ministry of the Presidency, concerned the party’s naming of a prime ministerial candidate as it seeks to contest the March 2, 2020 General Election.
Granger is quoted, in response to a question about the candidacy, as saying “I know what I’m going to do. I reserve the right to choose a Prime Minister. I will nominate all Ministers including the Prime Minister, who is my Chief Minister, after the elections.”
Reported by other sections of the media, and widely shared on the internet, Granger’s statement may have been interpreted by some as him placing distance between himself and the Revised Cummingsburg Accord which states, according to the AFC, that the right to name the Prime Minister, should the coalition win the election, stays with the smaller party.
In its statement, the AFC was keen to acknowledge Granger’s touting of the President’s exclusive right to name a Prime Minister. Notwithstanding that, it reiterated that an agreement was made, as a fundamental tenet of its partnership with the APNU, that the AFC names the prime ministerial candidate. It has named its leader, Khemraj Ramjattan, as that candidate.
The smaller party went on to add that the President’s statement does not confuse it, as the APNU’s General Secretary, Joseph Harmon, is reported as later saying that should Granger secure a second term as president, Ramjattan will be the Prime Minister.
Harmon reportedly explained the President’s statement as all part of the coalition’s strategy.
Furthermore, the AFC stated that it does not expect any more confusion for the rest of its campaign, as it relates to the considerations of the Revised Cummingsburg Accord, the agreement which governs its partnership with APNU.
The details of that agreement remain secret, and will not be released to the public, according to Harmon.
Late last night, Granger during a rally address at Hopetown, West Coast Berbice, confirmed that Ramjattan will be his prime minister.
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