GUYANA-AFC leader says PPP can be voted out even without a coalition

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – Alliance For Change (AFC) leader Nigel Hughes believes that despite the collapse of opposition coalition talks, the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP) can still be voted out of office at the upcoming elections.

“I hear the conversation that the only way you can defeat the PPP is with a coalition. I beg to differ,” Hughes said on his party’s Future Forward program on MAAD 97.5 FM on Friday.

His comments came a day after AFC Chairman David Patterson confirmed that talks between the party and the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR)-led A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) on joining forces to contest general elections had collapsed—though the door remains open to possible renewed talks.

Hughes acknowledged that a combined opposition force – “a person…who can gather the support of all the major opposition elements to defeat the PPP” – would increase the chances of victory.

However, he rejected the idea that a coalition is the only path to unseating the current administration, saying, “One thing we know is that the way the PPP managed this country over the past five years is what people reject.”

Hughes said the AFC’s campaign would be driven by data and facts reflecting everyday Guyanese realities. He pointed to mismanagement, wasteful spending on substandard infrastructure, rising inflation, and worsening quality of life despite the country’s growing oil wealth as factors that could convince citizens to vote out the PPP.

At the same time, Hughes said the AFC must “rebuild its identity,” noting that the party’s push for multi-ethnic politics was weakened during its coalition years with APNU.

He said the AFC is working to correct past missteps, including failing to remain closely engaged with the people.

“We have to reclaim some of our roots. We have to engage all communities… and share our vision for modern Guyana in completely different circumstances,” he added.