Former Treasurer of the People’s National Congress/Reform (PNC/R), Elson Low, has criticised A Partnership for National Unity’s (APNU) decision to form an alliance with the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP) during the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) elections, describing it as an act of “poor judgment.”
The surprise collaboration between the two longtime political rivals occurred on Friday, during the election of Chairmen and Vice Chairmen for the regional councils — a move many observers believe was intended to block newcomer We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) from taking control of key regional offices.
In Region Eight, APNU councillors voted alongside the PPP, giving the governing party control of the region while securing the vice-chairmanship for APNU. In Region Ten, where the PNC/R traditionally dominates, APNU and the PPP again cooperated, resulting in a 9-9 tie between WIN’s Mark Goring and APNU’s Dominique Blair. The tie now leaves the final decision in the hands of Local Government Minister Priya Manickchand.
“It is clear that there is collaboration between the PPP and APNU, as well as an unsuccessful effort to negotiate with WIN,” Low, who remains a PNC/R member, told Kaieteur News in an interview. He argued that the leadership’s actions reflected a recurring pattern of political missteps.
“It appears they have failed again, resulting in what now appears to be a very strained relationship with WIN. This stems from leadership’s continued belief that it must literally be in positions of power, rather than establish effective governance frameworks. As a result, it is clear that under this leadership every disagreement becomes a conflict,” he added.
Low said the alliance with the PPP represents “very poor judgment,” noting that collaboration should only occur “in the context of achieving meaningful, lasting change for Guyana, not merely in pursuit of holding on to one or two positions of power.”
He stressed that while the leadership may have acted out of expediency, PNC supporters remain deeply reluctant to engage in dealmaking with the PPP. “It cannot afford to be seen as cutting deals with the PPP at its convenience,” he warned, adding that the party must “strive to be seen as the primary party of integrity.”
Meanwhile, political commentator GHK Lall, in a strongly worded up-ed yesterday, said Guyanese should not be surprised by APNU’s decision.
“Why are Guyanese shocked that the APNU (PNC) threw its support behind the PPP to lock out WIN in Regions 8 and 10? C’mon people, get some discernment,” Lall wrote. “The subtitles were already there, gave a preview of what was in the making. Now, there is the proof emerging out of Regions 8 and 10, and look who is joining with whom.”
He argued that the PNC “did not fight with its all for the favour of voters,” calling its campaign “lackluster” and “late to the ring of genuine competition.” According to Lall, “All [signs] pointed to a group that looked as if it was playing to lose. No heart. No spirit. Don’t be fooled by the late blooming rhetoric.”
Lall added that the alliance between APNU and the PPP was now “the second bundle of proof — PNC’s crossing the floor and crossdressing with the PPP,” saying the “first bundle” was visible during the campaign period.
Referring to Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo’s recent comment that the PPP prefers to work with the PNC rather than WIN, Lall said: “He didn’t have to [say it twice], since I smelled the rat. The odour was overpowering.”
Low concluded that APNU must now undertake serious reforms to rebuild trust among its supporters and within the broader opposition. “Without significant changes, it’s unclear how the leadership can accomplish this,” he said.
Region Eight (Potaro–Siparuni) was previously controlled by APNU but was taken by the PPP at the 2025 Regional Elections, securing 2,872 votes to WIN’s 2,562 and APNU’s 276. In Region Ten, WIN topped the polls with 10,458 votes, followed by APNU with 5,334 and PPP with 4,260.
The fallout from APNU’s alliance with the PPP has sparked widespread debate about the opposition’s internal divisions and the future of coalition politics in Guyana.
