HGP Nightly News – Talk of a possible opposition coalition is gaining renewed attention, with senior figures from the AFC, APNU and WIN all acknowledging the need for greater cooperation, even as questions remain over whether public calls for unity will translate into actual political engagement.
The discussion comes after APNU Parliamentary Lead Dr. Terrence Campbell recently called for a broader united front involving opposition parties, trade unions, civil society and religious groups to challenge the governing People’s Progressive Party/Civic.
AFC Leader David Patterson said his party is not opposed to working with others, particularly as the country prepares for Local Government Elections. However, he said the AFC remains concerned about the state of the Guyana Elections Commission and whether the conditions are in place for elections that are properly managed.
Patterson said the AFC would like to contest Local Government Elections, but added that the party would have to examine the circumstances under which those elections are held.
He said the 2025 elections showed that many Guyanese want to see a collective effort against the PPP/C.
“We would not be averse to working collectively with others,” Patterson said, while noting that the AFC would seriously consider contesting under an umbrella arrangement if the conditions and partners are right.
He added that no final decision has been made on the format, and he could not confirm whether active discussions are currently taking place.
Patterson also used the interview to raise concerns about corruption, procurement, and campaign accountability. He said the Public Procurement Commission, the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board, regional tender boards and the Integrity Commission all require stronger legal and institutional reforms if Guyana is serious about fighting corruption.
WIN General Secretary Odessa Primus was more cautious in her response, saying there is a difference between coalition politics and opposition parties working together on specific national issues.
Primus said that, at this stage, there may not be a need for a formal coalition, but there is a clear need for the opposition to function more effectively as a joint opposition.
She said WIN has been open to collaboration from the beginning, but argued that public statements calling for unity must be matched by direct engagement.
“What I have seen so far is a lot of talks in the media and beautiful speeches,” Primus said.
She added that saying the opposition needs to work together is not enough unless parties take actual steps to make it happen.
According to Primus, WIN has invited other opposition forces to events, but only Amanza Walton-Desir and her team have shown up for such engagements. She said after Campbell’s public call for unity, WIN did not receive any email, phone call, message, or formal invitation to begin discussions.
“It is not just say what sounds nice, but let us do what is right,” she said.
On the possibility of contesting Local Government Elections as part of a coalition, Primus said there have been no discussions to her knowledge. She said it would not be wise to make plans around people or parties that have not yet shown a willingness to formally engage.
APNU General Secretary Sherwin Benjamin said APNU remains open to coalition politics, describing it as an approach whose time has come.
Benjamin said APNU has historically participated in coalition politics and would have to consult internally with its party structures and partners before deciding on the best format or composition.
“We’re open to coalition,” Benjamin said.
He added that the way Guyanese voted suggests that citizens want to see political parties working together for the greater good.
Benjamin said participatory democracy must now take a stronger role in the country’s political direction.
The comments from Patterson, Primus and Benjamin suggest that while opposition parties are publicly open to some level of cooperation, the road to any formal coalition remains uncertain.
For now, the AFC appears open to partnership depending on election conditions, APNU is signalling support for coalition politics, and WIN is insisting that public calls for unity must be followed by real communication, meetings, and shared action.
The central question is whether opposition parties can move from statements of interest to structured talks, especially as Local Government Elections approach and political groups weigh how best to challenge the PPP/C.
