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GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – Prime Minister Samuel hinds will not contest the May 11 general elections after the ruling People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) Saturday announced the Director General of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Elisabeth Harper, as its prime ministerial candidate.
Hinds, 71, served as prime minister since 1992 and extended “heartiest congratulations to Harper…on the announcement of her selection as Prime Ministerial candidate…”
Hinds, who briefly served as head of state in 1997, described the diplomat as a “Guyanese of exceptional national commitment who, I am confident, would work with everyone in pursuit of the national ‘good’. “Indeed, I commend Ms. Elisabeth Harper to all of our PPP/C supporters and to all Guyanese,” said Hinds, who was given the country’s highest award – The Order of Excellence – in 2011.
Harper will be President Donald Ramotar’s running mate in the election.
They will come up against retired Brigadier David Granger and his running mate Moses Nagamootoo. The two will represent the recently announced coalition involving A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance for Change (AFC).
Ramotar hinted at the reason or not choosing Hinds as his running mate, telling reporters “while we can boast of presenting a team of tried, tested and youthful leaders, who have successfully enjoyed the democratic mandate of our people over the years, we continue to focus on renewal, and reach out to the best who can serve in the interest of all the people of Guyana.
He said he was confident in Harper, saying she had served the country with distinction.
“There are many well-deserving individuals within and outside of our ranks who received our attention and consideration….competence and quality of leadership, speaks not only to our support base, but to the wider Guyanese society, rich in commitment and competence to hold important offices in our land,” he said.
PPP general secretary Clement Rohee said the decision to select Harper was unanimous and endorsed by the party’s Central Committee.
“The Central Committee, having considered a report from the Executive Committee on the subject of a prime ministerial candidate, was presented with a single nomination for the candidate to be the prime ministerial candidate for the PPPC,” said Rohee, adding that Harper represents the Civic component of the party.
