In a sharply worded critique of Guyana’s political opposition, physician and columnist Dr. Mark Devonish has warned that the ongoing power struggle between the People’s National Congress (PNC) and the Alliance for Change (AFC) could hand the governing People’s Progressive Party (PPP) a decisive victory in the 2025 General and Regional Elections.
In an opinion piece titled “Presidency, Positions and Politics,” Devonish expressed dismay at what he described as a “bitter pill to swallow” — the failure of the PNC and AFC to unite against a PPP administration he accuses of “discrimination, victimisation, corruption, and extrajudicial killings.”
According to Devonish, with the PPP “mired in governmental controversies,” the conditions are ripe for a strong opposition challenge. However, instead of collaborating to form a winning coalition, the PNC and AFC are “unashamedly tussling for positions and presidency,” he wrote, accusing both parties of placing personal and political ambition above the will of the people.
The AFC, he argued, is particularly overreaching, demanding an equal share of cabinet positions and even the presidency, despite never securing more than 40% of the vote. Devonish called such demands “outrageous,” and criticised the party’s proposal for a “scientific” presidential selection process as opportunistic and selectively applied.
But he didn’t spare the PNC either, describing the party as living in a “fool’s paradise.” Despite being the larger political force in the opposition coalition APNU, the PNC lacks a charismatic leader and is unlikely to defeat the PPP on its own, he contended. For Devonish, the party’s unwillingness to compromise is not only politically short-sighted but threatens to prolong the suffering of Afro-Guyanese communities.
Throughout the piece, Devonish highlighted the bleak picture of the current administration, underscoring the urgency of coalition politics in the current political climate.
He points to the PPP/C’s record of corruption, citing the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index score of 39 out of 100, and instances of discrimination against Afro-Guyanese communities, such as the flooding of Success and the demolition of homes in Mocha. He argues that these actions highlight the need for a united opposition to hold the government accountable.
“Considering this installed government’s history… one would’ve thought PNC and AFC… would’ve negotiated in a spirit of compromise,” Devonish wrote. “Instead, they are negotiating with super-inflated egos.”
Devonish’s conclusion was unequivocal: without unity between the opposition parties, Guyana’s electorate, especially its most marginalised, could face “five more years of persecutions.”
Talks between the AFC and the PNCR collapsed after the AFC announced on April 17 that it will contest the 2025 elections independently. The PNCR acknowledged the decision but has not ruled out further discussions or the possibility of forming alliances with other parties.
Negotiations deadlocked over the selection of a presidential candidate. The PNCR insisted that its leader, Aubrey Norton, must be the nominee, while the AFC was equally firm in its opposition to Norton’s candidacy.
Meanwhile, credible polls show that none of the current political leaders—President Irfaan Ali, AFC Leader Nigel Hughes, or PNCR Leader Aubrey Norton—enjoys the confidence of the electorate. President Ali’s approval rating stands at just 29%. Among undecided voters, nearly 80% said they would consider voting for an independent or new-party candidate if they were credible and focused on national development.
However, Ali’s support is likely to decline further with growing public anger over corruption, police brutality, and his handling of the tragic death of 11-year-old Adrianna Young, whose body was found at the Double Day Hotel in Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo.
Amid this climate of political disillusionment, several civil society groups and public figures are urging the AFC and PNCR to re-engage, with the hope of forming a coalition strong enough to mount a credible challenge to the PPP in the upcoming general elections.
