PPPC Ministers split over conceding defeat

Last Updated on Friday, 15 May 2015, 16:19 by GxMedia

by Zena Henry

The  People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) administration seem split over the acceptance of an election loss some 23 –years after being the governing party in Guyana.

The party lost to the recently formed unity party the A Partnership for National Unity +Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Coalition, whose mantra is a renewed sense of unity amongst the people, based on preliminary results announced by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

The PPP has refused to concede the loss, but former Cabinet members are already sending congratulatory messages to the winner, while others have already begun clearing out the Ministry offices they once occupied.

 It is understood that, former Labour Minister Nanda Gopaul and Robert Persaud of Natural Resources on Friday May 15 urged colleagues to concede the loss and in the interest of healing a country negatively impacted by race division between the two main racial groups; Indian and African descent.

Demerera Waves was unable to make contact with Gopaul when contacted by telephone but he was quoted as telling international media, Associated Press (AP), that, no one race must dominate, and everyone must feel like they are part of the democratic process. “I am most disturbed by statements by the PPP that it is not conceding the loss at elections. This is the best way to demonstrate that we are a democracy.”

Minister Persaud, on his Facebook Page said that the win by the Coalition provided “a grand, historical opportunity to change the paradigm of how we govern and make everyone feel truly a part of the future as we march to 50 years of independence.” He said all of Guyana wins… “Notwithstanding the showing of each party, Guyanese, all Guyanese, should feel included in continuing to build a prosperous and cohesive society.”

The party’s recently endorsed Clinton Urling also wrote on his Facebook page that, “GECOM and the people have spoken.” He congratulated the Coalition and declared that, “the PPP will remain a strong party in the years to come.”

In the meantime, it is understood that former Ministers have of already commenced clearly out their offices. Demerera Waves able to confirm that among them are the Housing and Foreign Affairs Ministry. Vehicles, keys and other Ministry resources are being returned.

President Donald Ramotar on Thursday expressed discontent with the voting process, claiming several inconsistencies. His predecessor Bharrat Jagdeo also said that the party will not take the results lying down.

While there is no confirmation on the party heading to the courts, they did not rule this out as this would hinder the swearing in of Retired Brigadier David Granger as the eight Executive President since Guyana achieved independence from Britain in 1966

Many sections of the country including the international community have urged the party to concede with the election result as the election is widely seen as being “free and fair.”