President Irfaan Ali went ahead and hosted his “working lunch” meeting with three of the four former Presidents this morning, Sam Hinds, Bharrat Jagdeo and Donald Ramotar.

All three former are executive members of the governing PPP.

Former President and PNC Leader David Granger turned down the invite to the meeting.

Mr. Granger said there was no agenda set for the meeting and the government needed to address several concerns about some of its actions since taking office before he joins any meeting with the President.

In a statement last week, Mr. Granger said there is currently public concern about certain governmental actions, “including the high rates of deaths as a result of the coronavirus pandemic; unwarranted dismissals of public servants; harassment of Elections Commission officials and human rights violations – which can have consequences for Guyana’s short-, medium- and long-term national development”.

While there was no agenda set for the meeting, Governance Minister Gail Teixeira said it was expected to serve as the launching pad for future engagements.

President Irfaan Ali has not held or called for any meeting with the Leader of the Opposition Joe Harmon. He has said he does not intend to meet with Harmon until Harmon recognises the legitimacy of his Presidency.

The Office of Leader of the Opposition is a constitutional one and there are several consultations that would have to take place between the President and the Opposition Leader on various constitutional and national matters.

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