Former Mayor of Georgetown, Patricia Chase-Green as well as former councillors, Malcolm Ferreira and Trichria Richards, have all crossed the political floor in support of the People’s Progressive Party / Civic (PPP/C) in the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGE). The move has raised eyebrows for many, since there have been ongoing allegations of a collapse within the opposition party.
While Green and Richards were both former members of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) faction of the coalition, Ferreira was an independent candidate who contested in the Charlestown/Albouystown District in the last elections.
The current administration also received support from other prominent figures who appeared in their bright red t-shirts, as candidates from all constituencies submitted their list to their respective municipalities and districts.
However, outside City Hall, Chase-Green told reporters that her decision to switch sides came after realizing that there was a need for “One Guyana”; despite having criticized the party she now supports.
“All I would say to the press is that I support (President Irfaan Ali’s) One Guyana (initiative), unity and progress. That’s all I can say for now, One, Guyana, unity and progress… We have just submitted a winning list for Georgetown and we look forward to unifying Georgetown,” Chase-Green said.
She noted too that “when the administration wins all the seats in council” there is a plan for Georgetown under the PPP. What that plan entails, according to Chase-Green, will only be revealed after the new council is elected.
In a separate interview, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo explained that while he is not surprised about the political crossover by certain persons, he said the administration’s focus was to win districts in which it had lost in the past. “We feel really good about the list of candidates we have submitted and now the hard work begins,” VP Jagdeo said.
