Garrido-Lowe denies being sidelined

– claims she had deal with Trotman about her role BY ANASTACIA CLEMENTSON

Alliance For Change (AFC)  Parliamentarian and former Executive of The United Force (TUF) party, Valerie Garrido-Lowe has denied being sidelined in the party, explaining that she has been pulling her weight in the minority Opposition party ever since crossing the floor. Lowe speaking to the Guyana Times on Monday stated that no concern was raised by her colleagues in the AFC Executive about her work ethics, contributions, or ability to muster up

AFC Parliamentarian Valerie Garrido-Lowe

electoral support for the party at any of their weekly meetings. She has also denied being silenced within the party and being used as a rubber stamp to attract votes of the Amerindians. “I feel I have been working very hard in the hinterland”, she told this newscast while insisting that she has earned her position in the AFC party. Lowe told this newspaper that she and Raphael Trotman had a deal when she entered the AFC ahead of the 2011 elections. The understanding related to her contributions and a promise that she would remain an integral part of the party hierarchy. When questioned about the general leakage of information by other party members about the alleged manner in which she was being treated, Lowe said that maintained that she was not being ignored. She told this newspaper that she was advised by the Executive Body of the party “not to worry” about what is being said. In politics, Lowe said, many persons do not feel secure about their political careers and therefore do not work very hard on keeping their jobs. This is not the case for her and Lowe continued to stress that over the last two years, she has been putting in a yeoman effort in several hinterland communities to improve the lives of the indigenous peoples there. While Lowe adopted this position, sources close to the AFC had told this newspaper that there have been concerns over her ability to function effectively both as a parliamentarian for that party and a politician that can attract mass support. The source went further to suggest that while there has been no official communication of the party’s concerns with Lowe, covert attempts were afoot to ensure that she is not nominated for any prominent post at the upcoming AFC Leadership Convention.