The opposition coalition, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), issued a statement Friday, urging Guyanese to defend the Constitution, uphold the rule of law, and hold the government accountable amid what it calls “serious national concern.”
In the release, APNU warned that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration is steadily eroding democratic institutions and undermining public services. “These are not abstract issues. They affect the cost of living, the quality of public services, the fairness of opportunities, and the future we will leave for our children,” the coalition said.
APNU highlighted the controversy surrounding Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette Cummings‑Edwards, who reportedly proceeded on early retirement shortly after returning from a two-month leave. The coalition said the circumstances “raise critical questions about the government’s respect for judicial independence,” noting that “courts must be free to act without fear or pressure” and that “when the independence of judges is undermined, ordinary citizens lose protection under the law.”
The coalition also noted the National Assembly has not met since November 3, 2025, when the 13th Parliament convened. “Democracy suffers when one side of the House and Nation are silent and large segments of society are unrepresented,” the statement said.
Another pressing issue is the non-election of the Leader of the Opposition, as required under Article 184(1) of the Constitution. It is widely held that the delay is largely due to PPP‑elected Speaker Manzoor Nadir and the Executive colluding to prevent the presumptive opposition leader, Azruddin Mohamed of the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party, from being elected. The Constitution requires the Speaker to preside over this process. APNU said the government continues to ignore calls for a working Parliament and the election of the Leader of the Opposition. The western diplomatic community has also urged Parliament to convene and highlighted the importance of these measures for democracy.
Local government, the coalition added, is similarly hampered. Municipalities in Georgetown, Linden, and New Amsterdam, along with Neighborhood Democratic Councils (NDCs), are “forced to operate without adequate funding,” resulting in poor roads, flooding, rubbish accumulation, and failing markets.
APNU criticised the PPP/C for mismanaging Guyana’s oil wealth. Since first oil in 2019, the country has earned more than US$8 billion in oil revenue, yet infrastructure contracts continue to fail and waste is rampant. Based on the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) 2025 Report, 58 percent of the population live in poverty—32 percent in abject poverty and 26 percent in moderate poverty—though local analysts believe the figure may be higher.
Public safety was also raised as a concern, with reports that a senior Guyana Police Force officer had his US visa revoked, alongside allegations of police complicity in drug trafficking. “A professional police force is essential for public safety and trust. APNU requires that the police force be professional, independent, and autonomous in keeping with the constitution,” the statement said.
The coalition also criticised delayed census data, corruption allegations involving government officials Susan Rodrigues and Zulfikar Mustapha, and the repeated failure of PPP/C-initiated projects. “Communities deserve quality infrastructure, not photo opportunities or constant electioneering propaganda. One defining element of any respectable government is the ability to deliver the basics without failure,” it said.
Highlighting the potential of the creative sector, APNU called on the government to prioritise the “orange economy” and provide opportunities for innovators through stronger intellectual property protections.
The coalition concluded by urging citizens to exercise their constitutional power. “We implore you to raise the standard of governance oversight by asking tough questions of those in PPP/C government,” APNU said.
See below press statement
APNU CALLS ON CITIZENS TO DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION, DEMAND ACCOUNTABILITY AND ACT WITH URGENCY
A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) speaks directly to the people of Guyana at a moment of serious national concern. Our Constitution, the rule of law, and the integrity of public institutions are being steadily eroded and weakened under the PPP/C administration. These are not abstract issues. They affect the cost of living, the quality of public services, the fairness of opportunities, and the future we will leave for our children.
Democracy does not defend itself. It depends on citizens who are informed, engaged, and willing to hold those in power accountable. With Local Government Elections approaching, every Guyanese has a role to play in ensuring good representation.
Rule of Law Matters for Every Citizen
The Constitution of Guyana requires a functioning Parliament. When there is no functioning Parliament, the Constitution is breached and the entire society suffers.
It is now more than two months after the First Sitting of Parliament on November 3rd, 2025, and there has been no parliamentary Sitting since then. This weakens the people’s voice in Parliament and reduces scrutiny of government decisions. Democracy suffers when one side of the House and Nation are silent and large segments of society are unrepresented.
The circumstances surrounding the alleged retirement of Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards raise critical questions about the government’s respect for judicial independence. This is contrary to Article 122A of the Constitution which guarantees judicial independence.
Courts must be free to act without fear or pressure. The executive branch must not interfere with the constitutional mandates governing the legislative branch. When the independence of judges is undermined, ordinary citizens lose protection under the law.
Municipalities in Georgetown, Linden and New Amsterdam and Neighborhood Democratic Councils across Guyana are forced to operate without adequate funding, this undermines local democratic organs as protected under Articles 71–78B of the Constitution. As a result, communities are forced to endure poor roads, flooding, rubbish build-up and failing markets. Local government cannot serve the people if central government withholds resources and usurps their functions.
Recently, a foreigner highlighted the issues of rubbish and poor maintenance in the Georgetown environs. One video showed the drain behind Parliament in its usually poorly maintained state. It is fool hardy to expect municipalities to function effectively without proper funding and autonomy.
With the bounty of oil revenues Guyana has, the excuse of limited funds to cover the cost of basic maintenance grows weaker by the day. Especially, when infrastructure contracts must be frequently redone because of poor work and monitoring. This results in waste and is a manifestation of incompetence. APNU estimates financial waste in infrastructure amounts to more than 30% of contract costs.
Reports of a senior Guyana Police Force rank having his US visa revoked by US law enforcement during international travel raise concerns about oversight and integrity in Guyana. News reports that some members of the Guyana Police Force are complicit with the illicit drug trade in Guyana are a continuing concern for Guyanese. A professional police force is essential for public safety and trust. APNU requires that the police force be professional, independent, and autonomous in keeping with the constitution (Articles 200-202). The Guyana Police Force must follow all regulations and focus on delivering quality policing services for the benefit of all Guyanese.
Sanctions imposed by foreign governments on individuals linked to the PPP/C administration raise questions of effectiveness of oversight in government and effectiveness of local law enforcement. This signals a failure of local accountability systems and questions the basic purpose of regulations that govern public office holders.
Guyana should not rely on foreign governments to police misdeeds within Guyana. All we need to do is remove the encumbrances to constitutional reform and ensure the Constitution is modified to ensure there is transparency and accountability.
It is deeply troubling that international partners have had to publicly remind the Government to respect the Constitution of Guyana. This is a responsibility that devolves on elected leaders. Sovereignty is self-governance and it implies responsibility to all members of society. We are at risk of becoming a failed republic when other nations must issue cautions to us. Failed states are an easy target in the drifting international landscape; this is not opportune for small states like us with regard to exercising our sovereignty.
This collection of these issues causes concern about the effectiveness of the rule of law in Guyana.
A Census That Came Too Late
The preliminary census has been released three years late and its integrity is in question. Without prompt and accurate data, communities are miscounted, services are inadequate, and resources are poorly allocated. Every citizen deserves to be counted in a timely manner and represented appropriately.
Against this backdrop of extreme late delivery of the preliminary census, it is of growing concern to APNU that accuracy and its efficient and effective use may have already been compromised. We encourage the appropriate government agencies to revamp and modernise to achieve timeliness for all future censuses.
Corruption and Everyday Hardship
Serious allegations surrounding land allocations involving government officials Susan Rodrigues and Zulfikar Mustapha must be investigated. The lowest common approach with serious allegations would be an independent investigation.
When corruption goes unchecked, honest citizens pay the price. The Guyanese society in general ends up being involved in irregular dealings to get basic government services. This is such a major issue that we now have a Ministry of Public Service, Government Efficiency and Implementation. This forces a simple question; how can repeated allegations of corruption by PPPC government officials not attract investigations? The answer is simple- the corrupt will not investigate for their fear of exposing themselves.
News reports have often highlighted allegations about the rapid accumulation of wealth by government officials and their close relatives. What is glaring and has reached a breaking point, is the fact that many of those allegations remain unaddressed. Transparency is not optional; it is a duty. Without it, who suffers? The people of Guyana.
Across the country, PPP/C government-initiated projects begin with fanfare but are left incomplete or poorly built and are not adequately maintained. This is the constant reality of the PPP/C government. They make beautiful launches, grand speeches and all end with eventual disappearance to failed execution. The simple fact is that a project launch means nothing if it cannot be completed within budget on time and delivers the intended result.
Communities deserve quality infrastructure, not photo opportunities or constant electioneering propaganda. One defining element of any respectable government is the ability to deliver the basics without failure. Prior, their excuse was inadequate funding. However, recently the senior minister with responsibility for finance said the national resource fund boasts savings that are enough to pay off our external debt. The new paradigm means that there is adequate funding to properly plan, execute and maintain infrastructure.
Despite talk of efficiency and reform, contract failures continue and no corruption allegations are pursued. Words mean little without action. Financial prudence and operational efficiencies are basic expectations of the citizens of Guyana and of the constitution of Guyana. As representatives of the people, APNU will not allow for promises without accountability.
The Orange Economy
A hardship is witnessed by creatives in Guyana. The orange economy is an untapped element of economic growth, and this is a direct failure of the ability of the government to prioritize the economic well-being of all segments of our society. APNU in its Manifesto 2025, stated that we will introduce intellectual property laws inclusive of copyright laws to facilitate the monetization of skills for innovators. APNU has submitted a motion in Parliament to give effect to this untapped economic opportunity.
A Call to Action: Your Voice, Your Vote
The Constitution places power in the hands of the people of Guyana. That power must be used. We implore you to raise the standard of governance oversight by asking tough questions of those in PPP/C government.
