Jagdeo says Hughes devoid of “lofty ideals” befitting presidency, ignores Irfaan Ali’s fraud charges

People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo, has raised concerns about a potential conflict of interest in Nigel Hughes’ election as Leader of the Alliance For Change’s (AFC). Hughes, an attorney-at-law, has indicated an interest in contesting for the presidency at next general and regional election, constitutionally due next year. His law firm-Hughes, Fields and Stoby- represents ExxonMobil.

Speaking at his press conference on Thursday, Jagdeo said his concern was triggered by a Demerara Waves’ article headlined, “Nigel Hughes will not leave law firm now, despite conflict-of-interest concerns with oil sector,” which came immediately after his election.

The June 30, 2024, article reported Hughes’ stating he would not sever his connections with his law firm – Hughes, Fields and Stoby – which represents ExxonMobil unless elected to government.

It is Jagdeo’s view such an association is obscene and expressed his inability to convey the feeling of revulsion he felt. Proceeding in his usual tirade and feigned indignation, the general secretary said someone aspiring to the presidency should “have some lofty ideals.”

Jagdeo’s view on Hughes contrasts sharply with Irfaan Ali’s ascension to the presidency. Ali had 19 fraud charges for illicit sale of state lands brought against by the Government but the PPP ignored the importance of good conduct usually associated with the presidency and fielded him as its candidate. Shortly after being sworn in as President, the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) withdrew the charges. Then private citizen Ali Canadian visa was also revoked.

Touching on Hughes active involvement in politics, Jagdeo recalled his resignation from the AFC in 2016 just days before the government began concluding negotiations with ExxonMobil on the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA).

Expanding on this, he referenced the Clyde and Company report commissioned by the coalition in an attempt to justify that the lopsided 2016 agreement was not deprived.  He pointed out “in the period from May 2015, Nigel Hughes was still chairman of the party, the negotiations started, because Exxon, their own report said, sent this document over, proposing a timeline…Hughes lied about this when asked by Global Witness.”

Jagdeo also drew attention to the Global Witness’s report titled ‘Signed Away’, published in February 2020. In January 2021 the report was withdrawn, but Global Witness, in a statement on the withdrawal, said, “We stand by the integrity of the evidence we have presented.”

Contained in the report is Hughes’ denial of his connection to former Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, and oil giant ExxonMobil. However, the Guyanese press reported that Trotman became a minister in May 2015 – 11 months before Hughes relinquished his AFC position in April 2016.

“Here is the general secretary of the party, negotiating with Exxon and the Chairman of the party is Exxon’s lawyer. In the PSA and bridging deed, both have listed, as their local offices, his law firm, in both the PSA,” he complained.

The information, according to Jagdeo, may require a formal investigation into concerning conflicts of interest.