Poor judgement! Former PNCR treasurer slams APNU’s Alliance with PPP at RDC Elections

Oct 12, 2025 News

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…says party must choose integrity over positions of power

(Kaieteur News) – Former Treasurer of the People’s National Congress/Reform (PNC/R), Elson Low, has labelled A Partnership for National Unity’s (APNU) move to form an alliance with the People’s Progressive Party at the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) elections as “poor judgment.”

A shocking alliance occurred on Friday during the RDC elections to elect Chairmen and Vice Chairmen, as old-time rivals APNU and PPP joined forces, a move many see as an attempt to block newcomer We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) from controlling regional offices. At the RDC elections, APNU formed an alliance with the PPP in Region Eight, giving the ruling party control of that region while booting its fellow opposition party WIN. In Region Ten, the two parties also worked together in a move that has left WIN’s control of the chairmanship uncertain, as the final decision is now left in the hands of Local Government Minister Priya Manickchand.

“It is clear that there is collaboration between the PPP and APNU, as well as an unsuccessful effort to negotiate with WIN,” Low, who is still a member of the party, told this publication.

He reminded of APNU’s leadership failing to negotiate with the Alliance for Change (AFC) ahead of the 2025 General and Regional Elections. “It appears they have failed again, resulting in what now appears to be a very strained relationship with WIN. This stems from leadership’s continued belief that it must literally be in positions of power, rather than establish effective governance frameworks. As a result, it is clear that under this leadership every disagreement becomes a conflict,” he noted.

In relation to APNU’s collaboration with the PPP, Low stated, “leadership appears to have exercised very poor judgment. I am not saying there are no situations in which it is acceptable to collaborate with the PPP, but most Guyanese would agree that this must be done in the context of achieving meaningful, lasting change for Guyana, not merely in pursuit of holding on to one or two positions of power.”

The PNCR member underscored that it is important to distinguish between the leadership of the party and its members and supporters, who he noted are extremely hesitant to engage in any dealmaking with the PPP.

Ahead of the local government elections, Low said APNU needs to make meaningful changes to restore voter confidence. “It cannot afford to be seen as cutting deals with the PPP at its convenience,” he noted.

Moreover, he pointed out that WIN is “no fountain of virtue.” Notwithstanding this, he said APNU must strive to be seen as the primary party of integrity. He urged that going forward, much work be done to bring the opposition parties together to craft a common understanding of their duty to the Guyanese people and to restore trust in their ability to hold the PPP government accountable. “Without significant changes, it’s unclear how the leadership can accomplish this,” he noted.

Region Eight (Potaro–Siparuni) was previously controlled by APNU, but at the 2025 elections, the PPP took control of the region, securing 2,872 votes. WIN followed with 2,562 votes, while APNU managed just 276. In this region, WIN secured 7 regional seats, while the PPP also gained 7 and APNU just 1. At the election for Regional Chairman, APNU councillor voted in favour of the PPP, giving it control of the chairmanship, while APNU with its one seat in that region got Vice Chairman.

Similarly, in Region Ten (Upper Demerara–Upper Berbice), traditionally a stronghold by PNCR was taken by WIN at the 2025 Regional Elections. WIN received 10,458 votes, followed by APNU with 5,334, PPP with 4,260, the Forward Guyana Movement (FGM) with 662, the Alliance for Change (AFC) with 210, and the Assembly for Liberty and Prosperity (ALP) with 85. Region Ten’s RDC election for Chairman remains undecided after Friday’s process ended in a tie between WIN’s Mark Goring and APNU’s Dominique Blair. A total of 18 councillors were sworn in: 9 from WIN, 5 from APNU, 3 from the PPP, and 1 from FGM. The ballot count showed 9 votes each for Goring and Blair. While WIN was not completely shut out, the final decision now rests with the Minister of Local Government and Regional Development.

For his part, WIN’s leader Azruddin Mohamed during an interview with this publication had expressed surprise at the outcome in Region Ten. “Yes. Very much surprised. Very much. I cannot believe that they would try to work together to keep WIN out,” Mohamed said.

Speaking on what occurred in Region Eight, Mohamed expressed his frustration. “Same thing happened in Region Eight. Same thing just happened. The APNU councilor went against us and voted for the PPP. So, PPP won the chairmanship in Region Eight, because we had seven seats. PPP got seven, and APNU got one…so it looks like they are in talks. You can clearly see it,” he stated.

The WIN leader stressed that his party won the Region 10, and simply wanted the opportunity to represent the people of that region. “They don’t want them, they wanted us…I hope the people of Region 10 and Georgetown and all the regions can see clearly what is going on, the PPP and APNU and FGM, they are working together to keep WIN out,” Mohamed added.

Now that the decision is up to the minister, Mohamed said WIN is awaiting her decision. However, he noted, “I don’t think she will give it to WIN. You can see how everything is unfolding…so let’s see what the Minister of Local Government, her decision is. But I know she will go with the APNU because they want to keep WIN out. They know that when, no matter which government it is, WIN will hold all of them accountable.”

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• APNU, Elson Low, PPP, RDC election

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