In a development that underscores the continuing unraveling of Guyana’s opposition movement, Alliance For Change (AFC) Leader Nigel Hughes has stepped down from his executive position. Hughes’ resignation comes at a time when PNC-affiliated parties have been struggling to maintain relevance and cohesion, following years of internal disputes and declining public confidence.
His departure not only leaves the AFC without its most prominent face but also raises fresh questions about the ability of opposition forces to regroup ahead of future national polls. It is suggested that the resignationwas motivated by deep frustrations over the direction of the party and its limited political traction in recent years.
The AFC, once considered the decisive “third force” in Guyanese politics, has been in steady decline since its fallout with the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), the coalition led by the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R). The split, which effectively ended the Cummingsburg Accord that bound the two groups together, marked the beginning of a slow but visible deterioration of the opposition’s ability to project a united front.
That rupture was compounded by the crushing defeat in the last general elections, where APNU+AFC was ousted from government after a single term marked by internal power struggles, governance controversies, and a loss of public trust. Since then, the opposition has failed to present a coherent alternative to the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), instead sinking deeper into infighting.
The PNC/R itself has been grappling with leadership battles, a loss of grassroots momentum, and the resignations of key figures, such as longstanding party stalwart Mervyn Williams. These resignations mirror a broader trend of disillusionment among senior members and supporters, many of whom believe the opposition has lost its way.
