As the opposition coalition gears up for the General and Regional elections, uncertainty still lingers over who will be the presidential candidate to challenge the People’s Progressive Party (PPP). In the latest development, the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) has firmly denied that Elson Low, their treasurer, will be their presidential candidate, clarifying that the Party Leader, Aubrey Norton, remains the party’s designated contender for the upcoming elections.
Low, a prominent member of the PNCR and spokesperson on economic matters, had recently dodged questions about his potential candidacy when asked directly. He neither confirmed nor denied being considered for the position, stating, “That’s not for me to put forward… we focus on dealing with things in a structured manner, so that’s not something I would comment on,” he told Demerara Waves. This ambiguous response had led to speculation that Low might emerge as a compromise candidate for the PNCR-led A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) coalition.
However, following growing speculation, a senior official from the AFC made it clear that the opposition needs a strong, decisive candidate to take on the governing PPP. The official expressed that while Low is an astute figure, the coalition requires someone with the necessary political strength to confront Jagdeo and Ali head-on, particularly given the current political climate.
“While Low seems astute, it’s obvious that the coalition will need a strong and no-nonsense candidate to confront Jagdeo and Ali,” the senior AFC official told Demerara Waves, further suggesting that the coalition’s candidate could be a figure akin to Dr. Terrence Campbell, who has been a vocal critic of the PPP administration.
Campbell, who is the Opposition Member on the Natural Resource Fund’s Investment Committee, has been actively challenging the government on issues like transparency and the management of Guyana’s oil wealth. His fearless stance against the government has made him an attractive choice for many.
Despite these ongoing discussions on a coalition presidential candidate, the PNCR released a statement Friday reaffirming that Norton remains its presidential candidate. “Aubrey Norton is the candidate chosen by the PNCR,” said the Party in a statement, clearing up the confusion surrounding Lowe’s candidacy.
The decision regarding whether the PNCR and AFC will jointly contest the 2025 elections or run separately remains pending. Both parties have until March 31, 2025, to finalise their electoral strategy, though the deadline could be extended depending on developments in their talks.
Meanwhile supporters are urging both the PNCR and AFC to clearly define their candidate and strategies to ensure they could be a formidable force to the PPP.
