AFC’s chairmanship had become difficult – Nigel Hughes speaks out

Outgoing Chairman of the Alliance For Change (AFC), Nigel Hughes on Tuesday said he chose to give up his position in the party because it had become “difficult and untenable” for him.

Former AFC Chairman Nigel Hughes

Hours after announcing that he had resigned from the chairmanship of the smaller party in the coalition Government, Hughes took to social media, explaining that the post which he has held for close to four years now, had become difficult.
His Facebook post read “My continuing to act as Chairman of the party became difficult and untenable. It has been a privilege and honour to have served in the capacity as Chairman of the party. Better Must Come.”
That Facebook post was the only explanation given by the Attorney for his move.
Hughes made the decision to resign his post during a Statutory Committee meeting on Monday. While the statement published by the party immediately after did not give any specifics, it did indicate that the party’s leader and Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan was expected to meet with Hughes, in the hopes that he (Hughes) would reconsider his decision.
AFC insiders say the Attorney-at-Law quitted over a strongly-worded statement issued following an executive council meeting on Sunday, which called for a trimming of the powers of Minister of State Joseph Harmon.
That meeting was attended by neither Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman nor Ramjattan. Another statement by the AFC followed, distancing both Ministers from the call by Hughes.
Hughes has been with the AFC since July 2011 and was elected Chairman on August 4, 2012.
Hughes’ wife, Cathy Hughes, currently serves as Minister of Public Telecommunications with responsibility for tourism within the A Partnership for National Unity/AFC coalition Government.