The Opinion Desk: APNU+AFC’s “life support” pack unfit to lead Guyana
The recent admission by the Leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC), Nigel Hughes, that the agreement with the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) is on “life support” raises concerns about the viability of this fractured partnership.
And with elections around the corner, the thought of entrusting the next government to APNU+AFC riddled with distrust, infighting, and tenuous alliances should send shivers down the spines of every Guyanese.
The partnership between the two parties, which Hughes himself said would be “guided by past experiences,” has already proven disastrous.
The fact that Hughes held a press conference merely hours after signing the pact shows how dismal the agreement is, just like their performance in government from 2015 to 2020.
The Coalition’s legacy in the office is marred by allegations of mismanagement, economic stagnation, and a blatant disregard for democratic norms, especially the attempts to subvert the 2020 elections.
Hughes said during his press conference on Tuesday night that the AFC’s willingness to collaborate with APNU hinges on “trust and confidentiality.”
Yet, the very need to highlight these basic principles shows how fractured the coalition has become. Trust is not built overnight or rebuilt when one partner consistently undermines the other.
As a matter of fact, this lack of unity is an ominous sign for a coalition that hopes to lead Guyana.The two sides are negotiating through appointed mediators, and talks have been extended until March 31, which speaks volumes.
This is not a partnership based on a shared vision or ideology—it is a marriage of convenience driven by a desperate desire for power. If they can barely agree on the fundamentals of their partnership, how can they be trusted to guide Guyana through the complex challenges of national development?
The debacle on who should be the presidential candidate further highlights the dysfunction within this coalition. Aubrey Norton said he would be the presidential candidate, while Hughes noted there must be a “scientific” process.
This jockeying for power exposes a coalition more concerned with internal squabbles than with addressing the needs of the Guyanese people.Perhaps one of them might be the President of Bam Bam Alley.
But on a serious note, the very idea that APNU+AFC cannot produce a credible leader for 2025 is laughable.
Hughes may be a declared candidate, but his party’s diminished influence and the PNC’s dominance within the coalition make it clear that any AFC leader would merely be a figurehead.
Guyana deserves a leader with a clear vision and the ability to unite—not one entangled in backroom deals and political compromise.Also, let us not forget the APNU+AFC’s track record.
To the highest regard, it was categorised as mismanagement, barely any infrastructure work done, and their failure to deliver on promises of transparency, accountability, and development.
The 2020 elections debacle, in which the coalition sought to undermine democratic processes, should have been the final nail in the coffin for their political aspirations. But they are back, seeking to return to power under the guise of “national interest.”
This is an insult to the intelligence of the Guyanese people.The last thing Guyana needs is a return to the chaos and incompetence of an APNU+AFC government. A coalition on life support is not fit to lead a thriving country like Guyana.
