Latest update August 27th, 2026 10:20 AM
Jun 08, 2016 Letters
Dear Editor,
Pastor Wendell Jeffrey is correct in his letter entitled “Constitutional reform will not happen soon” SN 1/6/2016. I would like to take his analysis of the AFC a little further. It is my belief that prior to the May 2015 elections, the AFC as a political party held a very strategic position. This position could have been used effectively in a bargaining scenario and also could have served as a check and balance against the excesses of the PPP or the PNC. Leading up to the elections, the AFC squandered this opportunity. Led in part by Minister Trotman’s unbridled ambition, and Prime Minister Nagamootoo’s chronic opportunism, the party negotiated away all of its political currency and buried it in the Cummingsburg Accord. The architect of this agreement was none other than Alston Stewart, a friend of Minister Trotman, no friend of the AFC.
The Cumingsburg Accord was the AFC’s Swan Song. Its last act before retiring, and as such it is all symbol and no substance. The Guyanese people were deceived once again. Let’s take a look at this strange bargain. In exchange for its betrayal of the Guyanese people, the AFC got the following – six ministers and the Prime Minister’s slot.
Let’s examine these in greater detail. Minister Trotman, the Manchurian candidate of the AFC, some will argue that he never really left the PNC. Minister Gaskin, he’s the president’s son-in Law, no favor to AFC. Minister Holder, not an AFC member but husband to the late AFC founder member Shelia Holder. Prime Minister Nagamooto he has little or no constitutional authority and at any rate he is subordinate to the Minister of State Joe Harmon. This leaves Ministers Hughes, Patterson, and Ramjattan, (Vice President in name only). It also leaves the AFC a severely damaged party in search of an identity. This was the most shameful con job perpetrated on the Guyanese electorate.
Yvette Short
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