Dear Editor,
THE people of Guyana will no longer be seeing Joseph Harmon within the corridors of the National Assembly. This opposition leader was a powerful figure in the failed Coalition of convenience, APNU+AFC. Over the past weekend, media reports have been circulated that Joseph Harmon, opposition member, has resigned from the National Assembly, effective March 15th, 2022.

Under the David Granger-led administration, Mr Harmon held several key positions and was a Minister of State and probably the de facto President of Guyana.
Joseph’s departure from the National Assembly is most welcome, as he has failed to contribute anything meaningful to the 12th Parliament.

It was only in January that Mr Harmon resigned as the Leader of the Opposition after much public and internal pressure. It was over for Harmon since December2021 after he lost a poorly contested People’s National Congress Reform election. This saw him being severely trashed by his opponent Aubrey Norton, who won 70 per cent of the votes. Mr Harmon’s unpopularity is known, even among his former party members and colleagues.

He was appointed Leader of the Opposition by David Granger when the APNU+AFC lost the 2020 General and Regional Elections to the People’s Progressive Party /Civic.

Notwithstanding his defeat to Norton in 2021, Harmon attempted to play it out. This tactic was most unsuccessful as the People’s National Congress Reform, who controls the political faction of A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance For Change demanded that their leader Aubrey Norton be the new Leader of the Opposition and be allowed to enter Parliament. These demands were intensified with the resignation of former Minister of Education, Ms Nicolette Henry.

Ms Henry’s resignation from the National Assembly early in February this year, was supposed to make way for Aubrey Norton to enter into Parliament. However, this resignation does not take effect until March 31st, 2022. At this juncture it is obvious that Norton’s political aspirations are being held hostage by David Granger, the leader of the list and former President.

With the resignation of Mr Harmon, a senior personnel within APNU, the opposition Coalition APNU+AFC (PNC) is now weaker than ever. This comes in the wake of several of their members resigning or moving away from the PNCR and the sham Coalition APNU+AFC. This further strengthens the theory held by many political commentors that most of the APNU+AFC politicians were merely political opportunists who never cared for Guyana.

The deception of the APNU+AFC must not be allowed to take root and hinder our progress on this road to prosperity.
Joseph Harmon’s resignation is supposed to take effect on March 15th, 2022. This, he clarified on March 9th, 2022. Aubrey Norton as the potential Leader of the Opposition is sure to welcome this.

Yours sincerely,
Nkosei Williams