By Mark DaCosta- In a his weekly press conference held on Thursday, July 25, 2024, Bharrat Jagdeo, General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), articulated a strong sense of confidence as his party gears up for the 2025 general elections. He downplayed concerns about the opposition’s potential alliances, predicting their eventual defeat due to lack of unity and trust from the electorate.
“They’re going to all get together and lose together,” Jagdeo declared, pointing to the indecision and fragmentation among opposition political parties. He further asserted, “We’re not worried about any candidates. Nigel Hughes or Norton or anyone else they may want to run as presidential candidate. They have defined themselves already to this country and people don’t trust a word that they say.”
The opposition’s history in Guyana has been marked by alliances and fractures. The A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), predominantly led by the Peoples National Congress (PNC), initially merged with the Alliance For Change (AFC) in 2015 to contest the elections, resulting in a notable victory. This coalition continued through the 2020 elections, presenting a formidable challenge to the PPP.
However, the alliance formally dissolved in December 2022 following the expiration of the revised Cummingsburg Accord, which had outlined the terms of their cooperation. The AFC’s then-leader, Khemraj Ramjattan, indicated that while the two entities would pursue separate political strategies, they would maintain a joint approach in parliamentary matters. This separation marked a significant shift in the political landscape, leading to speculation about the future of opposition coalitions.
Currently, the opposition is led by prominent figures: Aubrey Norton heads the PNC, Nigel Hughes leads the AFC, and Vincent Henry is at the helm of APNU. Despite their influential positions, none of these leaders have confirmed any plans to re-establish a coalition for the 2025 elections. Norton has even suggested that the PNC might contest independently, stating, “We are a strong enough party that if we have to go and be one, we can do that.”
Jagdeo, however, remains sceptical of these claims, believing a coalition is inevitable. “They were coalition partners all the time…they’re going to get together. Anybody who has any sense knows that they are going to get together for the elections,” he remarked.
Aubrey Norton, the current leader of the PNC, has a long-standing history in Guyanese politics, and despite some issues the PNC has maintained a strong base, although its future strategy remains uncertain amid the potential for coalition talks. Nigel Hughes, leading the AFC, is a distinguished attorney and politician, recognised for his legal work and previous electoral contributions. Vincent Henry, steering APNU, brings his own approach to leadership, although his tenure has seen less public visibility compared to his counterparts.
APNU’s history is rooted in its formation in 2011 as a coalition of various political parties, aiming to unify the opposition against the PPP. The coalition initially included the PNC, Guyana Action Party (GAP), and other smaller parties, creating a broad-based alliance. The strategic partnership with the AFC in 2015 was pivotal, leading to their electoral success. However, the dissolution of this alliance in 2022 has led to speculation about the opposition’s ability to present a united front in the upcoming elections.
Jagdeo also took the opportunity to dismiss any rumours about the possibility of early elections, firmly stating, “How many times do we have to say this, there will be no snap elections.”
As Guyana approaches the 2025 elections, the political landscape remains in flux, with parties strategising for optimal outcomes. The coming months will be critical in shaping the future political direction of our country, as leaders and parties vie for the support and trust of the electorate.
