-says opposition too focused on their own ‘selfish, corrupt’ interest not the Guyanese people
-maintains that their dismal track record, lack of vision can’t be erased

GIVEN the self-centred nature of both the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC), it comes as no surprise that their coalition talks have fallen through, People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has said.

On Thursday, the AFC revealed that it will not be contesting the 2025 General and Regional Elections together with A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), as talks over a possible coalition had collapsed.

Jagdeo, during his weekly press conference at Freedom House noted that as he previously predicted, both parties were interested in the spoils of office, not in the people of Guyana.

“They see government as an opportunity to share spoils, and that is why it was bound to fail, because if you’re talking about sharing spoils, then [they’re] looking at their own selfish, corrupt interest…not about what’s good for the country,” the General Secretary said.

However, despite who the opposition parties float as their presidential candidate, both the APNU and AFC have no track record to stand on nor do they have a clue about how to present plans to take the country forward, Jagdeo pointed out.

“We don’t care who they put there. It doesn’t bother us too much, not because we’re arrogant, but because people will know that it’s contrived [that when] you run, regardless of the form you put together or the candidate who leads your campaign, you have to contend with two things when you face the electorate. One, your track record ,and two, your plans for the future.”

Jagdeo further highlighted that the Opposition’s dismal track record is characterised by 28 years of failure and undermining the country’s democracy.

Adding to that, he said that both the APNU and AFC have competence and credibility gaps along with a divisive policy of racism, and thus, nothing that they put together and present, the electorate will believe.

As the opposition continues to roll out promises regarding continued spending, Jagdeo highlighted that they continue to make promises on expenditure but no talks of creating opportunities.

In 2015, the APNU+AFC promised human and social development but instead, Guyanese faced a burdensome period.

For instance, the APNU+AFC government hiked the salaries of its ministers but placed Value Added Tax (VAT) on electricity, water, basic food items, among other amenities when they were in office.

Guyanese also faced over 300 new taxes, which was an immense strain on citizens.

APNU/AFC’S HISTORY
The APNU and AFC, which previously coalesced for the 2015 and 2020 elections, had set a March 31 deadline to finalise an agreement, but as the deadline passed, disagreements persisted.

Further, the AFC found itself at the centre of many challenges and contradictions.

Some of the conditions included a demand of a 40-60 split of government positions in APNU’s favour, and that the presidential candidate’s party should not hold the Leader of the List position, which controls parliamentary appointments and removal.

The two parties went their separate ways as of December 31, 2022. The coalition lost power in 2018 following a motion of no-confidence, despite winning the 2015 elections.

When the Cummingsburg Accord, which bonded the parties was modified in 2019, the AFC’s initial 40 per cent ownership stake in the coalition was lowered to 30 per cent.