Former Army head Phillips is PPP PM Candidate

PPP Prime Ministerial Candidate Mark Phillips as army head holds makes a point while holding a booklet authored by David Granger

After months of speculations, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has confirmed that Brigadier (rtd) Mark Phillips will join its top ranks as the party’s Prime Ministerial Candidate heading into the March 2, 2020 General Elections.
According to the Party in a statement today, Phillips was “unanimously endorsed as the Prime Ministerial Candidate” at a meeting of the Central Committee earlier today.

The announcement was made on Friday as President David Granger, also a former Brigadier in the Guyana Defense Force was delivering his feature address at the APNU+AFC election campaign launch.

Former GDF head Mark Phillips and President David Granger chats during a GDF event while Phillips was head and Granger was his boss

Phillips will satisfy the Civic component requirement of the Party which stipulates that a non-party member from civil society serves as its PM Candidate.
The former Army Chief served for almost four decades, after which he was appointed Chief of Staff in September 2013 by the Donald Ramotar administration.

Phillips retired in 2016.
The PPP shared that: “Phillips is, therefore, well qualified and equipped to partner with the PPP as its Prime Ministerial candidate, as it strides forward to win the upcoming elections and form the next Government of Guyana.”
This comes against the backdrop of Phillips holding a number of crucial leadership positions at various levels and ranks and his consistent upward mobility. Additionally, the retired brigadier received both local and overseas training.

“The Party’s leadership and its supporters expect Brigadier (retired) Mark Phillips to serve all the people of Guyana in accordance with the high PPP tradition of discipline, dedication, loyalty and commitment, both in and out of Government” the Party noted in its statement.
The PPP also sought to recognize tremendous contribution of Bishop Juan Edghill who earlier today announced that he would not be contesting for the position which he too was nominated for.

“We are heartened by the assurance given that he remains a committed team player, who will work to ensure a resounding PPP/C victory at the upcoming elections. We wish to assure all Guyanese that Bishop Edghill remains a valued and valuable member of our team and will certainly play a critical role in the next PPP/C Administration, in executing our Manifesto promises to the electorate” the PPP said.
University Lecturer, Hugh Todd was also a nominee for the PM position.