THE COALITION that was recently formed among the PNCR and other smaller political parties is being sold to the public as a medium through which national unity will be fostered. Formerly called the Joint Opposition Political Parties (JOPP), the group has changed its  name to ‘A partnership for National Unity (APNU)’. Nevertheless, a mere name change will not delude the public into believing that national unity is what lies at the heart of this group. By now, it is public knowledge  that this coalition is as a result of many insignificant parties coupling with the PNCR to contest an election they cannot win.
The JOPP will be as ineffective in leadership and governance as the PNCR would have been if it had not joined this coalition and was on its own, because the PNCR, as the largest and most established party in opposition to the current government, clearly dominates the group, making this coalition nothing more than a secondary arm of the PNCR.
JOPP or APNU, whatever they finally decide on, will not be immune to or independent of PNCR control. I am certain that David Granger will be named the presidential candidate of  JOPP, even though there are many from the other smaller parties who are amply qualified and eager to acquire that position.
This will be the case because the PNCR, by right of being the ‘chief opposition’ party with a larger constituency  than the other parties in this coalition, will have more hard-hitting decision-making influence on the group.
This coalition that these groups have formed will not secure them an election victory; it certainly will not it guarantee national unity.