Harmon picks up endorsements at campaign launch for PNC Leader

Harmon's decision to run for the leadership of the party is being seen by observers as the incumbent leader David Granger's decision not to seek reelection,since the two share very close ties.

Harmon picks up endorsements at campaign launch for PNC Leader

As the race for a new Leader of the People’s National Congress intensifies, Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon officially launched his campaign for the position last evening, picking up endorsements from Region Four Chairman Daniel Seeram and a number of first time Members of Parliament including Senior Counsel Roysdale Forde and Coretta McDonald.

Forde said he is of the conviction that the Opposition Leader has what it takes to move the PNC and ultimately the country forward.

“We must be conscious of where we are now and not make a light decision. We must choose a leader who will advance the party not take us back. We must consolidate the gains by the last leader,” Forde told the campaign launch.  

For his part, Region 4 Chairman, Daniel Seeram said the party is at a critical juncture. He said the party’s leadership appears to be in turmoil and now is the time for all hands to be on deck.

“This is not a time for us to throw any mud and this is not a time to move the party from this situation to an unfavorable situation but a time for us to come together and choose a leader that will be a leader for all of the PNCR and for all of Guyana,” Seeram said.

Joe Harmon

Current General Secretary of the PNC Amna Ally is also supporting Mr. Harmon for the top party post.

Mr. Harmon is the first candidate to receive public endorsements from members of the party.

In his address to the campaign launch, Mr. Harmon said at the end of the Congress, all those who sought the party’s leadership must continue to work together in the interest of the party.

“I want to commit as a candidate for these elections, and I expect that all of the other comrades who vie for that position that they commit at the end of this process to work together in unity for our party. Win, lose or draw the bigger picture is our party,” Mr. Harmon declared.

He said he is committed to working with whoever emerges as the next leader of the party but said he is confident that person will be him.

“Unity of our party is critical, and I didn’t say this very lightly, I understand the environment in which we live. I understand the vitriol which takes place on a daily basis, and I understand the attacks which will come against me and against all of the persons who are on this campaign, but we are seasoned we could handle it,” Mr. Harmon.

Mr. Harmon said candidates vying for the leadership position must not see persons who do not support them as their enemies.

 According to Harmon,  the goal must be set on the bigger picture and that is to unseat the governing People’s Progressive Party.

The People’s National Congress Reform is set to host its elections and congress next month.

Harmon’s decision to run for the leadership of the party is being seen by observers as the incumbent leader David Granger’s decision not to seek reelection,since the two share very close ties.

Granger, who won the party leadership back to back and rode into the Presidency with a high approval rating from his party, has now become very unpopular among the party’s membership, with him being accused of running a one man show in the party by its Central Executive Committee.

Joe Harmon and David Granger

Mr. Harmon was handpicked by Granger to become Opposition Leader following the 2020 elections. Other candidates who were interested in the position were surprisingly left off of the parliamentary compiled by Mr. Granger. It marked the first time in the PNC Reform’s history that the party was heading to Parliament without its Leader or Chairman.

Volda Lawrence is the current Chairman of the party. She has not indicated whether she intends to seek the Leadership post.

But other Executive party members including Aubrey Norton and Dr. Richard Van-West Charles have already indicated their decision to run for the position of party leader.

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