PPP, APNU+AFC at loggerheads over invitation to form Gov’t
By Jomo Paul
Prime Minister elect, Moses Nagamootoo
The People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) says it has not received any invitation from recently elected President David Granger to be part and parcel of an inclusive government, but Prime Minister elect Moses Nagamootoo has refuted the Party’s claim.
The PPP is contending that President Granger’s call for a government of National Unity is a merely a “political gimmick” labelling it as deceptive.
“The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) wishes to label as deceptive the pronouncements made in the press by Leader of the APNU-AFC Coalition David Granger that he has invited the PPP/C to join “a national unity movement”…. to date, we have received no formal or informal invitation from the APNU/AFC on this issue. The pronouncement, therefore of Granger, is a political gimmick and nothing else,” a statement from the Party noted.
But according to Nagamootoo, the PPP is still trying to adapt to its position of being in Opposition, noting that the Party clearly lacks focus.
Former President Donald Ramotar.
He said that although the President would have publicly made the offer, any hopes of a Unity government are being castigated by the PPP.
“When President Granger was sworn in he said it very clearly; we extend an olive branch to the Opposition….I think the branch was broken before it fell on the ground because we hear the opposition talking about not accepting the results…so they are in a dilemma,” Nagamootoo said in an interview.
“I extend the arm of friendship to former president, Donald Ramotar, and the members of the PPP to join this great movement of national unity,” President Granger said on Saturday May 17 moments after he took the oath of office.
The Head of State also stated “We the Guyanese people have chosen to inaugurate a ‘government of national unity’ and to promote our multi-party, inclusionary partnership. We are convinced that this is the best way to overcome our historic divisions.”