Former APNU/AFC Vice President endorses President Ali for 2nd term

…highlights neglect, internal fight, struggle for leadership under APNU/AFC

Former Vice President and Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs under the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU)/Alliance For Change (AFC) government, Sydney Allicock, has thrown his support behind President Irfaan Ali and the ruling People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) for a second term in office.
Allicock, an Indigenous leader and long-time member of the Guyana Action Party (GAP), a member of the APNU coalition delivered a scathing indictment of the coalition’s internal dysfunction while expressing hope in the leadership and developmental agenda of the current administration.

On Wednesday, Allicock revealed deep frustration with the coalition’s failure to present a united, viable alternative ahead of the upcoming general elections.
“When we started under Mr. Granger, we were all-inclusive. We knew that we had a voice. But after we were voted out, we never could have come together,” Allicock stated, citing a persistent “internal fight and struggle for leadership and power” that has plagued the APNU/AFC alliance.
Allicock noted that despite efforts at unity, “everybody wants to be president,” a mindset he argues has crippled the opposition’s ability to meaningfully prepare for the 2025 elections. Meetings with the AFC and People’s National Congress (PNC) factions yielded little more than political grandstanding, he said, leaving smaller parties like GAP sidelined and demoralized.

Endorsing progress
Breaking with his political past, Allicock made it clear that his endorsement of President Ali stems not from partisan convenience but from a vision for national unity and responsible leadership.
“I would like to see Guyana moving forward. And in the present state, I see if President Ali could be given the chance, much more could be achieved,” he said.
He emphasized the need for a sober national conversation around leadership, unity, and development—one rooted in the proper use of national resources and inclusive governance.
Tangible support
Meanwhile, when asked what in the government’s agenda impressed him most, Allicock pointed to tangible support in Indigenous communities, including transportation, employment opportunities, and improved access to services.
He acknowledged that while more needs to be done, these efforts reflect a seriousness in governance that has not gone unnoticed among Indigenous populations.
“Government can only do so much. You have to now take the bull by the horns and use that as a platform to be better off,” he said, calling for accountability and active participation from citizens.
Allicock several opposition officials who have thrown their support behind President Ali for the September 1 Regional and General Elections.
Among those persons who have recently come forward to endorse the PPP are former People’s National Congress (PNC) General Secretary and Opposition Parliamentarian Geeta Chandan-Edmond; Alliance For Change (AFC) Regional Councillor Ismail Muhammad- Al-Cush, and Chairman of the Region Seven division of the AFC, David Daniels.
Additionally, Regional Vice Chairman for Region Four and member of the PNC, Samuel Sandy has endorsed the PPP. He joined Executive Member of the PNCR and Region Four Chairman Daniel Seeram, who also endorsed President Ali for a second term.
Former PNCR Central Executive member, Dr Richard Van West-Charles said he believed that President Ali was the leader Guyana needed now. Dr Van West-Charles is the son-in-law of former President and founder of the PNC, Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham.
In April, former PNC member Thandi McAllister also threw her support behind the PPP/C.
In 2023, Lance Smith, former General Secretary of the Guyana Youth and Student Movement (GYSM), the youth arm of the PNCR, and former Georgetown Mayor and longstanding PNC member, Patricia Chase-Green broke ties with the PNC and joined the PPP/C to contest the Local Government Elections.
Additionally, leaders of smaller parties – The Citizenship Initiative (TCI) – Shaz Ally; The New Movement (TNM) Dr Asha Kissoon, and the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP) Lenox Shuman – have also joined the PPP/C ahead of the 2025 General and Regional Elections.