…urges Patterson to reconsider resignation as GS, MP
The Alliance For Change (AFC) will be reviewing the effectiveness of its Revised Cummingsburg Accord with the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) after a breakdown of good faith during the election of the Region Four and Seven Vice Chairpersons.
An agreement signed ahead of the 2020 General and Regional Elections had guaranteed the AFC the Vice Chairmanship in Regions Four and Seven, but when the elections were held at the level of the Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs) earlier this week, APNU Councilors voted to have its own members elected.
It spurred the resignation of AFC General Secretary, David Patterson but Opposition Leader, Joseph Harmon said on Friday that the incidents resulted from poor communication. However, the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the AFC held an Extraordinary Meeting on Sunday where it discussed its agreements with the APNU and more.
“The NEC was of the strong view, that a fundamental breach of the Accord was committed, as such, a committee has been established to provide guidance and recommendations to the party on the continued effectiveness of the Accord as well as a review of the mechanisms to effect any future agreements,” the AFC said in a press statement.
The NEC will submit its report within 10 days after which another NEC meeting will be held on October 18, 2020 likely to reveal the conclusion. At the meeting, the Committee, with the agreement of the General Secretary, deferred a decision on the resignation of Patterson to October 18. They unanimously urged that he reconsider his position.
The AFC also realised the need for “healing and reconciliation” to place its party on better footing following the 2020 elections.
The party stated: “The NEC agreed to a process geared towards strengthening the AFC as it looks forward ‘Beyond March 2020’, and positioning the AFC as a viable and responsible entity. The NEC noted the need for introspection and strengthening the party so we can better serve Guyana at this critical time in its history as we find solutions to the complexed problems that face us today as a country.”
Meanwhile, Harmon has acknowledged that an agreement between the coalition partners had assured the AFC the Vice Chairman posts in Region Four and Seven but said that an investigation into the issue has been conducted and the APNU Chair, former President David Granger, and AFC Leader, Khemraj Ramjattan will communicate further on the matter.
