A widening governance crisis in Region 10 intensified today after the government proceeded with swearing in Chairpersons and Vice Chairpersons for nine of Guyana’s ten administrative regions—while Region 10 remains the lone region without a functioning Regional Democratic Council (RDC). Local leaders say the move represents a direct affront to democratic norms and underscores growing concerns about political interference, administrative obstruction, and the government’s constitutional obligations.
In a statement issued on November 27, Region 10 Member of Parliament (MP) of the We Invest In Nationhood (WIN), Dr. Ryan Richards, warned that the region has been effectively shut out of the national governance architecture. He noted that despite an official media advisory announcing that President Irfaan Ali would administer the Oath of Office to regional leaders at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Region 10 could not participate because “its legitimate Council was never allowed to complete its statutory election of a Regional Chairman and Vice Chairman.”
The deadlock stems from the October 10 vote that ended in a 9–9 tie between WIN candidate Mark Goring and A Partnership for Nattional Unity (APNU) candidate Dominique Blair. Since then, no follow-up vote has been convened, leaving the RDC leaderless and the region in a state of prolonged administrative limbo. Observers attribute the stalemate to the failure to activate tie-breaking procedures under the Local Democratic Organs Act, resulting in delays to decisions on budgeting, infrastructure, and regional services. Critics say the inaction reflects a blend of political hesitation and bureaucratic paralysis—fueling frustration among residents still waiting for a functioning leadership structure.
Richards directly blamed Regional Executive Officer (REO) and Clerk of Council, Mr. Dwight John, for the escalating crisis. “This unacceptable situation results directly from the continued refusal of ….John, to reconvene the statutory meeting of the Regional Democratic Council,” he stated, noting that repeated requests from RDC members and community representatives have been ignored.
He warned that the blockade has “implications for governance, representation, and the delivery of public services to the people of Linden, Kwakwani, Ituni, Demerara River, Berbice River, River’s View and all communities of Region 10.” Richards described the stalemate as “a disregard for the rights of Region 10’s elected officials and an erosion of the democratic process,” insisting that representatives must be allowed to perform their duties “without interference or obstruction.”
The MP further accused the administration of weaponising bureaucracy against the region. “The continued failure to reconvene the RDC meeting, coupled with the central government’s decision to proceed with the swearing-in ceremonies for all other regions, sends a troubling signal that administrative authority is being used in a manner that disadvantages the people of Region 10,” he said. Richards called for urgent intervention to facilitate the lawful completion of leadership elections and “restore Region 10 to its rightful place within the national system of regional administration.”
Political reaction to the standoff has been swift. Amanza Walton-Desir, Member of Parliament and Leader of the Forward Guyana Movement, issued a sharp rebuke of President Ali. “And Irfaan Ali, you are quite content to preside over this mess,” she wrote. “Imagine, you are quite happy to swear in nine Regional Chairpersons, when you are the President of a country with 10 Administrative Regions… One instruction from you and the unacceptable situation of Region 10 being without a Chairperson will be remedied, but nah.”
Former parliamentarian and longstanding People’s National Congress (PNC) supporter Lurlene Nestor echoed the concerns, framing Region 10’s situation as part of a broader pattern of political sidelining. “Same way the seat of Leader of the Opposition deliberately remains vacant, the leadership of Region 10 continues to deliberately ‘hangs in abeyance’,” she posted. Questioning how a party that placed third in the region “ends up being the major decision-maker,” she described the ongoing configuration as “a conundrum,” adding, “My heart bleeds!”
The escalating stalemate leaves Region 10 without leadership at a moment when the government is rapidly consolidating regional governance elsewhere. With mounting public backlash, accusations of deliberate political sidelining, and rising concern among residents, Region 10’s unresolved RDC leadership has become a critical flashpoint in Guyana’s broader debate over democracy, constitutional compliance, and fair representation.
