Leader of the Opposition Azruddin Mohamed has moved to defuse a growing dispute with A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) over opposition representation on the Local Government Commission (LGC), inviting APNU Leader Aubrey Norton to a high-level meeting that could also determine how the fractured parliamentary opposition approaches wider questions surrounding Guyana’s democratic institutions.
In a letter dated August 20, Mohamed invited Norton and representatives of APNU to meet with him and the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) team on Monday, August 24, at 11:00 a.m. at the WIN Party Office at Serenity Court, Green Acres, Providence, East Bank Demerara.
The invitation follows a sharp objection from Norton over the decision to exclude APNU’s nominees from the three opposition nominations submitted for the LGC.
APNU had proposed Joan Romascindo and attorney-at-law Ronald Daniels, arguing that its 12 parliamentary seats and representation at the local government level entitled it to a place on the commission. WIN instead submitted two nominees associated with the party and one nominee from the Forward Guyana Movement (FGM), which holds one parliamentary seat.
Mohamed, however, sought to frame the dispute against the broader backdrop of opposition cooperation, pointing to areas where WIN had facilitated APNU’s participation in Parliament.
He cited WIN’s support for APNU having an alternate on the Economic Services and Foreign Relations committees, as well as its backing for APNU to occupy the Vice-Chairmanship of the Natural Resources Committee.
“These are examples of our willingness to work collaboratively and in good faith, notwithstanding differences in approach or perspective,” Mohamed wrote.
He also referenced cooperation between the opposition parties following the MV Barima tragedy as evidence that the opposition could work together when confronted with issues of national importance.
But the LGC dispute has exposed tensions over how opposition representation should be determined following the 2025 General and Regional Elections, which saw WIN emerge as the largest opposition party, holding 16 parliamentary seats.
Mohamed has now proposed that the parties use the meeting not only to address APNU’s concerns about the LGC, but also to confront several unresolved disputes that threaten to further divide the opposition.
Among the issues he wants discussed are the three opposition commissioners currently serving on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), the scrutineers involved in the registration process and the continuing deadlock over the election of the chairman and vice-chairman of the Region 10 Regional Democratic Council.
The GECOM issue is particularly sensitive.
WIN has called for opposition representation on the elections commission following its emergence as the largest opposition party, but APNU-aligned commissioners Vincent Alexander, Charles Corbin and Desmond Trotman have rejected calls for them to resign. The commissioners have maintained that the Constitution does not require them to vacate their positions.
Norton, while expressing reservations, said he was prepared to discuss the matter.
“I will go into it with an open mind but we already have stated positions,” Norton said.
However, Norton has objected to the proposed venue for Monday’s meeting, insisting that discussions should take place at a neutral location rather than at the WIN office.
“I am disposed to a meeting but it has to be at a neutral venue, a mutually agreed venue and we are willing to start over the process and discuss,” Norton said.
The issue of GECOM scrutineers could also prove contentious. WIN has raised concerns that none of the 69 scrutineers reportedly being paid by GECOM is affiliated with WIN or FGM.
Norton, according to reports, questioned claims surrounding the hiring and firing of scrutineers but stopped short of committing to WIN’s position.
The Region 10 dispute adds another layer to the opposition tensions.
WIN won nine of the 18 RDC seats in the 2025 elections, ending the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), which is part of the APNU longstanding dominance of the region. Yet the council has remained deadlocked since October 10, 2025, when councillors failed to agree on its leadership.
APNU, PPP/C and FGM councillors supported APNU’s Dominic Blair for chairman, while WIN’s nine councillors backed Mark Goring. The resulting 9-9 tie has left the council without a resolved leadership arrangement.
Mohamed said the proposed meeting provides an opportunity to move beyond individual disputes and address what he described as broader threats to the functioning of Guyana’s democratic institutions.
“WIN remains committed to dialogue and cooperation, particularly on issues that have a direct bearing on our democratic institutions and the interests of the Guyanese people,” Mohamed wrote.
He concluded by urging Norton and APNU to participate in what he described as an opportunity to strengthen cooperation within an opposition that remains divided over representation, institutional legitimacy and the allocation of political authority.
“I look forward to your confirmation and to a productive meeting with you and your team, as we work together to advance the interests of the Guyanese people and strengthen our democratic institutions as we continue to strive to put the people first,” Mohamed wrote.
