Opposition MPs blast their leaders over failed coalition talks

…call out Opposition Leaders for failing Guyanese

Two more Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs), from both of the main Opposition parties, have called out their leaders for failing to put country above party and coalesce, describing the failed talks as “deeply frustrating” and even expressing opposition to the idea of a consensus candidate.
In a statement, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) MP Amanza Walton-Desir expressed deep frustration at the stalled talks between her party and the Alliance For Change (AFC). According to her, she has been urging those involved to come to an understanding and form a coalition for the upcoming September 1 General and Regional Elections.

“I, like the majority of our supporters, am deeply frustrated and fed-up with the state of the negotiations between our coalition partners. While I might not have been in the room since January 2025, I have been urging, pleading with the parties involved to come together and create something that our supporters and the people of Guyana could be proud of,” she said.
According to the MP, it is now six months on and despite her urgings, they were no closer to an agreement. As a matter of fact, the two parties were, in fact, more divided than ever before. She made it clear that they were failing the people.
“We are failing the people who look to us for leadership, because we are feeding them a diet of division and public bickering that is draining their hope and trust. We are failing the people who believe in us… the future will not forgive us, history will not absolve us. It is time we all wake up and realise that leadership means actually putting people first. Enough is enough now!”

Also issuing a statement was AFC MP Juretha Fernandes, who indirectly called out her party’s leader Nigel Hughes. She was critical of the party’s insistence on a consensus candidate to head the Opposition ticket, instead of current Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton.
“I have read several articles advocating for a consensus candidate, often from individuals who have not been actively involved in politics over the years. These pieces attempt to frame such a candidate as necessary for a coalition victory,” Fernandes said.
“The concept of a consensus candidate isn’t new to us. This idea formed the basis for heavy discussions a year ago in my party, and it was wholly dismissed by those considered senior leaders within the party. It was made abundantly clear by them that to be considered presidential candidate material, one must be the leader of a political party.”

Fernandes thus expressed surprise that persons were once again pushing the idea of a consensus candidate. According to her, going for a consensus candidate is fraught with its own risks and she urged her party to abandon this position.
“Throughout my political career, I have witnessed parties elevate people with no political experience to leadership positions, only to suffer the consequences of their inexperience and worse, their betrayal due to a lack of loyalty to the movement. Too often, grassroots political leaders are sidelined and labelled as “not electable” by those who wish to dismiss them in favour of individuals perceived as more “popular,” she said.
“And when these individuals fail to transform into genuine grassroots leaders, it is the people who suffer. This moment calls for leadership that is for the people, leadership that understands the plight of the people. And dare I say, this moment is not to be hijacked by any group that perceives itself to be better than the political leaders who have stayed the course.”
Amid flagging talks between the AFC and APNU, AFC Leader Hughes had admitted that his party’s opposition to Norton as presidential candidate was a major factor in the breakdown of talks between the two parties.
In a statement he released on Tuesday, Hughes responded to claims that his party had demanded the presidential candidacy in a grand coalition that would contest the upcoming September 1, 2025 General and Regional Elections.
Hughes denied this, admitting that while the AFC did not want Norton as the presidential candidate, they had proposed former Foreign Affairs Minister and Guyana’s agent before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Carl Greenidge, as one of their compromise candidates.