AFC, APNU to explore coalition for upcoming local Govt. polls

Feb 19, 2018 News

It appears that the Alliance for Change (AFC) will not go it alone at upcoming Local Government Elections (LGE) as a coalition.

President David Granger

AFC Leader,
Raphael Trotman

The party has announced plans to commence discussions with the A Partnership For National Unity (APNU) to contest the LGE as a coalition.
About a month ago, AFC Leader, Raphael Trotman said that the party was contemplating going to the polls alone, but did not entirely rule out contesting with governing partner, APNU.
According to the AFC, its National Executive Committee (NEC) met on Saturday and mandated Trotman to write President David Granger outlining the party’s position on the way forward and specific issues that are of concern to the AFC.
The NEC, the second highest decision-making organ of the AFC, has the mandate to make decisions for the party in between the party’s Biennial Conference.
A statement from the AFC, noted that Saturday’s meeting discussed the Cummingsburg Accord signed with the APNU on Valentine’s Day, 2015.
The AFC stated that members critically analyzed its operationalization and the expectation of its members that this still relatively new arrangement will concretize a new era of good governance and development in Guyana,”
“The meeting acknowledged that there are areas in the relationship that are working well and others that need to examined, clearly defined and strengthened,” the AFC pointed out.
The party said that a team has been indentified internally to discuss areas of concerns with the APNU. The first review date passed on Wednesday, last.
President Granger said that the AFC has not requested a review and that the accord is a sunset agreement that could be reviewed as late as 2020 when Guyana is expected to return to the polls.
AFC Leader Raphael Trotman told Kaieteur News that the party is encouraged by President David Granger’s words that ‘we are better together’.
“Our opinions within the AFC’s leadership are that the Accord provided the best platform for a truly multilateral grouping at the time when it was signed. Both sides recognize that coalitions require special care and attention if they are to remain cohesive and effective,” Trotman stated.
According to the AFC, the NEC meeting was attended by representatives from all ten administrative regions of Guyana, members of the party’s management committee, regional councilors, members of the diaspora and chairpersons of the Youth For Change and Women For Change.
The meeting noted the sterling work being done by AFC ministers of government, councillors at the regional and municipal levels. The meeting reaffirmed its commitment to the coalition.
Those at the meeting also extended warm wishes for a speedy recovery to the party’s elder, Moses Nagamootoo, who is in the United States recovering from heart bypass surgery.

Discover more from Kaieteur News

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Latest News