In a significant move, Alliance for Change (AFC) Leader Nigel Hughes expressed his willingness to step aside for a consensus presidential candidate, as coalition talks with the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) intensify ahead of the 2025 General and Regional Elections.
Speaking to the media on Friday, Hughes emphasised that the country’s interests should take precedence over individual ambitions.
“I’m personally prepared to step aside from the presidential candidacy in favour of a third-party candidate who can unite the opposition for the good of the country,” Hughes said, while attending a protest demanding greater access to information.
In a follow-up social media post on Saturday, Hughes reiterated his position, stating, “No, No, I’m not the important factor here you know. Guyana is the important factor, and I don’t hold any particular request that I should hold any particular role. I think the important thing is that this country has to be rescued from the PPP.”
The announcement comes as the deadline for the AFC and PNCR to reach an agreement on coalition terms is tomorrow, March 31, 1025.
Meanwhile, credible poll suggests growing dissatisfaction with the current national leadership, signaling potential hurdles for both parties and the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) in the upcoming election.
Last week Village Voice News reported the findings of poll which shows that 62% of respondents believe Guyana needs new leadership, while just 38% support the current administration.
Confidence in President Irfaan Ali and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo is at an all-time low, with only 29% of respondents expressing trust in Ali’s leadership and just 25% backing Jagdeo.
The same poll indicated widespread discontent with PNCR leader Aubrey Norton, with 69% of respondents opposing his continued leadership within the A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) coalition. Only 31% expressed support for him going forward, signaling possible internal rifts as coalition talks progress. It is likely that both Hughes and Norton are aware of these poll results.
Earlier negotiations between Hughes and Norton suggested a hardline stance on both sides, with neither leader willing to compromise on their candidacies. However, as pressure mounts, alternative names have surfaced as potential consensus candidates, including former Finance Minister Winston Jordan; Dr. Terrence Campbell; Dr. Anand Goolsarran; Member of Parliament (MP) Amanza Walton-Desir; Roysdale Forde, SC, MP; former MP Mervyn Williams; former Vice President Carl Greenidge; Dawn Hastings-Williams MP; former minister Simona Broomes; former Georgetown Mayor Pt. Ubraj Narine; former President David Granger.
Dr. Campbell, who has garnered attention due to his role in the Natural Resource Fund Committee, has also expressed willingness to serve if called upon, echoing Hughes’ sentiment that removing the PPP from power is the primary goal, not the presidency itself.
However, sources tell Stabroek News that Norton remains firm in his demand to be the presidential candidate of any coalition, threatening that the PNCR will go it alone if his demand is not met. Reports indicate that Norton would only relent if both parties agreed to former Foreign Minister Carl Greenidge as the candidate, a proposal Greenidge, according to sources, has no interest in pursuing.
The internal tensions and the growing public dissatisfaction with current leadership will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of opposition unity in Guyana.
