Dear Editor,
The year 2025 began with optimism and promise. However, as we move deeper into the election season, the political landscape has taken a surprising turn, marked by public endorsements, the emergence of new political movements, and notable defections to rival parties. While these developments were perhaps foreshadowed by subtle shifts in behavior and rhetoric, few anticipated the extent of the realignments now taking place.
The Constitution of Guyana rightly guarantees every citizen the freedom of association and political expression. Yet, what I find personally difficult to accept is not the choices individuals make, but the manner in which some of my former colleagues have chosen to operate. Like any organisation, political parties experience internal dynamics and disagreements. However, maturity demands that we resolve issues constructively, not opportunistically.
Though my involvement with the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) dates back to my youth, attending meetings with my mother and engaging in party-led activities, my adult convictions have only deepened my belief that the PNCR remains the only viable political movement capable of delivering meaningful, transformative change to Guyana.
My research into our nation’s history confirms this view. Following the ideological split between Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham and Dr. Cheddi Jagan in the 1950s, Burnham recognized the urgent need to advocate for the poor, marginalized, and voiceless. He founded the PNC in 1957 to serve this purpose, a mission that, despite evolving times, remains vital today.
The oft-repeated myth that “the party is bad” must be challenged. Political parties are comprised of people, and it is people, not abstract institutions, who are responsible for actions and decisions. The focus of criticism, therefore, should be on conduct, not the entity itself.
As members of political parties, our calling is to serve, not for self-aggrandizement; but to ensure equitable distribution of our nation’s resources and the upliftment of every citizen, especially the most vulnerable. Yet it is both disappointing and disheartening to see former PNCR members—many of whom held high positions as General Secretary, Executive Members, Parliamentarians, Councillors, and board members, now turn around and criticize the very party they once praised. These are individuals who once vocally opposed the PPP/C’s policies and actions. What, then, has changed? Has the PPP/C fundamentally improved governance, justice, and economic equity? Or is the motivation simply political convenience?
Since returning to office in August 2020, the PPP/C administration has presided over:
• Rampant corruption in state agencies, including the Guyana Police Force (source: [Transparency Institute Guyana Inc. reports, 2023–2024]),
• Discriminatory allocation of national resources,
• The continued high cost of living (supported by Bureau of Statistics inflation reports),
• And ongoing failures to uphold constitutional provisions.
Despite these issues, we hear nothing from these former members, now speaking at PPP/C rallies; on matters such as the tragic death of Adriana Younge, the continued marginalization of Afro-Guyanese and Indigenous communities, or the injustices suffered by families seeking justice. Instead, the focus is narrowly placed on criticizing the Coalition government’s tenure, often ignoring the broader context.
It must be reiterated that the Coalition Government (2015–2020) operated without oil revenue yet managed to implement several transformative programs, including:
• The Sustainable Livelihood and Entrepreneurial Development (SLED) initiative, which supported youth entrepreneurs across the country,
• The Hinterland Employment and Youth Service (HEYS) program, which empowered Indigenous youth with training and startup capital,
• The Regional Agriculture Investment Program, benefiting farmers in regions like Ithaca, West Coast Berbice through access to machinery and financial aid.
These were real policies with real results. To claim that the Coalition did “nothing” is a disservice to thousands of Guyanese whose lives were positively impacted.
What troubles me most is the false equivalence often drawn between a government that served just under five years without oil wealth and one that ruled for 23 years prior, and now once again, with access to billions in oil revenue, fails to demonstrate significant systemic improvement. Let us not forget; when the Coalition assumed office in 2015, we focused not on blaming the past, but on fixing the present—repairing broken systems while laying the foundation for Guyana’s future.
As we approach the September 1, 2025, General and Regional Elections, I pose this challenge to those who have recently defected to the PPP/C:
• What percentage of new voters can you truly bring to your new political home?
• And before your departure, what value or support base did you meaningfully contribute to the PNCR?
To my fellow Guyanese, do not vote based on race. Vote based on policies and performance. Your decision in this election will determine the direction of Guyana for the next five years. Reflect on the reversal of numerous beneficial Coalition-led initiatives such as:
• Decentralization of passport offices,
• The 5B’s initiative (Boats, Buses, Bicycles, Breakfast, Books),
• And youth housing eligibility beginning at age 18, now rolled back to 21.
We are watching the erosion of progress, while a select few profit, enabled by an increasingly self-serving administration.
In conclusion, I leave this verse for those who have shifted political allegiance in the final months before elections:
“The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.” — Psalm 118:22
I remain steadfast in my hope for Guyana. Let us rise together!
Yours truly,
Annette Ferguson
