AFC went “berserk” in talks, blames party for coalition collapse – PNC Executive

Senior Executive of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) – the largest party in A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) grouping – Sherwood Lowe has blamed the Alliance For Change (AFC) for causing the breakdown of negotiations between the two sides ahead of the upcoming General and Regional Elections on September 1, 2025.

In a brief comment to the media via a WhatsApp group on Thursday, Lowe, who is an advisor to the PNCR-APNU Opposition party, believes that the AFC should have stuck to its initial proposal several months ago for a governance sharing of 35-65 with APNU, as well as for APNU to name the Representative of the List (ROL), among other positions.
“Had the AFC stuck close to its very first proposal… instead of abruptly going berserk (sorry) during the talks (by, for example, asking for a 60% stake in the coalition and changing its mind on who should name the ROL), an accord could have been signed months ago,” the PNCR Executive stated.
Last month, the AFC proposed a ratio of 65-35 – 65 per cent for itself – to be applied across the board, which was rejected by APNU, led by Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton. APNU had then countered with a 70-30 proposal.

“Last-ditch efforts” flail
In what is being described as a last-ditch effort to salvage the tenuous coalition talks, the Nigel Hughes-led AFC on Monday submitted a revised proposal to APNU through an intermediary.
This new proposal included a 65-35 ratio to be applied across the board, that is, 65 per cent for APNU and 35 per cent for AFC. It also proposed that it select the prime ministerial candidate while APNU picks the presidential candidate, for the ROL to be an independent nominee acceptable to both parties, and for the Speaker of the National Assembly to be nominated by the AFC but acceptable to APNU.
“We were informed [June] 18th that this proposal was rejected. On this occasion, APNU decided that they must also name the AFC’s PM candidate, contrary to the established protocol of the negotiations. This demand is totally unacceptable to the AFC,” the party said in a statement on Wednesday night.
According to the AFC, “This last proposal gave APNU all they have been asking for to agree a coalition and the AFC decided at all costs it would play its role in response to public feedback and the nation’s desire for a unified opposition. It is now clear the APNU was and is not interested in a coalition.”
However, Lowe sought to clarify on Thursday morning that the AFC statement is misleading, noting that APNU never proposed that it must name the PM candidate for the coalition.
“What APNU communicated to the AFC, through the intermediary, was that, given the lateness of the hour, it had taken a decision to select its own PM candidate. Let me stress: to select APNU’s PM candidate, not the coalition’s PM candidate. Given this development, the intermediary was asked to ascertain from the AFC whether talks were still possible and on what basis,” the PNCR Executive stated.

AFC blindsided
Meanwhile, it was reported on Wednesday that the AFC Member of Parliament, Juretha Fernandes, has been named the APNU-PNCR Prime Ministerial Candidate to run alongside Norton for the upcoming elections— a move that blindsided the AFC.
In fact, Hughes told Guyana Times Wednesday evening that he was only made aware of the situation when it was reported in the media earlier that day.
In a subsequent statement, the AFC said it had confirmed “independently” that Fernandes, along with two other MPs, Sherod Duncan and Deonarine (Ricky) Ramsaroop, had formally aligned themselves with APNU and have committed to being candidates on that party’s Lists of Candidates for the upcoming polls.
Guided by its constitution and principles, the AFC said it considers that the three former Executive members have chosen to forfeit their membership of the party and therefore formally cancelled their membership.
But in a social media post, Duncan claimed that he had no intention of resigning from the AFC.
“As I was saying, my membership in the AFC is paid up until 2029, and I do not intend to determine my membership before that time. I have been working with our Coalition partners for the last ten years, and I intend to further lend my energies to the APNU Coalition to win the September 1, 2025, General and Regional Elections,” he said on his Facebook page.
Meanwhile, the AFC leader has admitted that a coalition between the two parties is looking increasingly unlikely as he hints at the party contesting the elections independently.
“I think, effectively, any prospects of movement in a positive direction [towards a coalition] are marginal at best… [But] the AFC is an independent party and had indicated that we were running as an independent party when elections were held… and before that,” Hughes told this publication.