Once political allies, the rift between the Nigel Hughes-led Alliance For Change (AFC) and the Aubrey Norton-led A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) continues to deepen, as the AFC steadily loses members to its former coalition partner.
Former Chairman of the AFC for Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) Suruj Narayan Singh and former AFC Region Three Councillor Gangadai Lloyd are now supporting APNU, the party announced.
Only recently, three high-profile AFC figures – Juretha Fernandes, Sherod Duncan, and Deonarine “Ricky” Ramsaroop – officially joined APNU. In fact, Fernandes is now APNU’s prime ministerial candidate for the upcoming September 1, General and Regional Elections.
In addition to those persons, the AFC has lost other members who cited a range of issues with the political party.
The party’s Vice President (VP) for the Youth for Change (YFC) – AFC’s youth arm – Onix Duncan, and Advisor to YFC, Dillon Mohamed, recently resigned from their positions and the party.
The duo, in their resignation letters, alleged that the AFC failed to create a space of genuine inclusion and internal engagement and cited disrespectful and homophobic behaviour towards members. The AFC has since denied these allegations.
Additionally, Vice Chairman of Region Ten, Mark Goring, an AFC member, recently tendered his resignation from the party.
The AFC’s former coalition partner, the PNC/APNU has also been hit with a series of resignations of senior members, many of whom have gone on to support the governing Peoples Progressive Party (PPP).
Members of Parliament who resigned from the PNC/APNU include Amanza Walton-Desir, Jermaine Figueira, Natasha Singh-Lewis, and Geeta Chandan-Edmond.
Other members who recently resigned from the PNC include former Region Four Chairman Daniel Seeram and Vice Chairman Samuel Sandy, both of whom have thrown their support behind the PPP.
Former PNC parliamentarian James Bond, former PNC/R Central Executive member Dr Richard Van-West Charles, former PNC member Thandi McAllister, former Georgetown Mayor Patricia Chase-Green have also left the PNC/APNU and are now supporting President Dr Irfaan Ali.
Sydney Allicock, member of the Guyana Action Party (GAP) – one of the parties that make up the APNU – has also endorsed President Ali. Allicock served as Vice President under the former David Granger-led administration.
Coalition talks between the AFC and PNC/APNU for the upcoming polls have collapsed.
Both parties submitted their symbols separately to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), each signalling their intention to contest the upcoming elections independently.
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