Calls Mount for Unified Opposition as September Elections Approach
HGP Nightly News – Antonio Dey reports
As the September 1 general and regional elections draw closer, senior opposition members are intensifying calls for unity among the APNU and AFC amid continued public frustration over stalled coalition talks.
Opposition Parliamentarian and PNCR member Annette Ferguson, in an exclusive interview with Nightly News on Thursday, called on political leaders to set aside egos and personal ambitions and prioritize the national interest.
“I do believe that there is still a lot of time before Nomination Day,” Ferguson said. “The two parties must put aside egos and personalities and look at the bigger picture — and that is putting Guyana first.”
She referenced the 2011 elections, where the PPP/C secured the most votes but failed to win a parliamentary majority. Ferguson noted that it was the unity between the AFC and APNU that gave the opposition control in the National Assembly — a precedent that paved the way for their 2015 coalition victory.
“I believe in unity and cohesion. A coalition of parties under one banner can defeat the PPP/C again,” Ferguson added.
The call for unity is echoed by PNCR member Amanza Walton-Desir, who on Wednesday released a public statement urging both APNU and AFC leadership to resolve their differences urgently.
“The opposition in its current form is failing the people. We are feeding them a diet of division and public bickering, which is destroying hope and trust,” Walton-Desir said.
Adding to the criticism, AFC Member of Parliament Juretha Fernandes distanced herself from the party’s leadership stance on coalition candidacy. She stressed the importance of selecting a presidential candidate who connects with the people’s struggles.
Many supporters, especially the youth, have grown increasingly vocal about their disappointment with what they perceive as internal fighting rather than a unified strategy to defeat the ruling PPP/C government.
In response to public pressure, AFC Leader Nigel Hughes issued a statement on Monday rejecting claims that the AFC has been an obstacle to coalition progress.
“At no point did the AFC demand the presidency or insist on its own nominee,” Hughes clarified. “From the outset, we have advocated for a consensus candidate — someone with broad national appeal and credibility who can offer a real alternative to entrenched political divides.”
As coalition talks continue, the opposition faces a critical decision: remain divided and risk electoral defeat or unite behind a shared platform that resonates with a diverse Guyanese electorate.
