Latest update May 31st, 2026 12:28 AM
Trotman on Nigel Hughes’ resignation… “It is common for political leaders to fall on their swords”
Attorney, Nigel Hughes
Kaieteur News – General Secretary of the Alliance For Change (AFC) Raphael Trotman said Wednesday that it is common for leaders of political parties “to fall on their sword” in cases where there are devastating defeats.
Trotman was responding to queries by Kaieteur News about party leader Nigel Hughes, who submitted his resignation on Wednesday. In his letter, Hughes took full responsibility for the distressing loss the party suffered at the September 1, General and Regional Elections.
The AFC contested the elections and scraped a mere 3,610 votes, upsetting any chances of securing a single seat in the National Assembly.
Hughes, who assumed the leadership of the party in July last year, had campaigned feverishly across country on a slogan he adopted “better must come,” admitting that he had much to offer Guyana. He said the country needed a break and was willing to pool his ideas with others to fashion a new and modern Guyana.
But with the crushing loss at the polls, Trotman said the move by Hughes “is the honourable approach that is observed worldwide. However, it is the party’s leadership and members to accept or reject that offer.”
He said however, that the resignation is somewhat surprising, since there was no indication that the party leader was contemplating resigning. “Recently as Saturday last, the executive met and the meeting was chaired by Mr. Hughes. There was no hint that he was considering resigning, and no indication from within the executive that anyone wanted him to resign,” he said.
Later, in a statement to the media, the party revealed that the general secretary received a letter on Wednesday from Nigel Hughes on his resignation as leader of the party with immediate effect.
The party disclosed that the National Executive Committee will hold an emergency session to discuss the ramifications and consequences of the letter and will use the opportunity to encourage Mr. Hughes to retract it.
“Should he remain adamant in his decision, then the party’s constitutional provisions will be used to guide the way forward. It was only a few days ago that the National Executive Committee met and reposed fresh confidence in Mr. Hughes’ leadership,” it added.
The statement went 0n to say that the party thanks its members, and supporters for their well-wishes and courage shown in the face of fortitude and challenges.
This is not the first time Hughes has resigned from an executive position within the party. In 2013, he resigned from his position as party chairman. His then resignation had come on the heels of an article published in this newspaper’s August 6 edition, titled “Nigel Hughes is Company Secretary for Amaila Falls Hydro Inc.”
Hughes tendered his resignation once again in 2016 and this had to do with an ongoing controversy involving Minister of State, Joseph Harmon at the time. Hughes is reportedly against the party supporting Harmon at a time when he seemed to be wrapped in corrupt practices.
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