Poor turnout at AFC 4th Biennial Congress… AFC’s Ramjattan endorses Nagamootoo as presidential candidate; Hughes as prime ministerial candidate

SINCE making its way into the electoral arena in 2005, the Alliance For Change (AFC) has consistently remained Guyana’s least supported party, this is the continued case evidenced by the poor turnout at yesterday’s congress. 

A section of the gathering at the party’s congress

At the AFC’s 4th Biennial Congress, party Leader, Khemraj Ramjattan endorsed former People’s Progressive Party (PPP) executive member, Moses Nagamootoo as the presidential candidate for the AFC. While it was previously announced that neither the presidential nor the prime ministerial candidates will be endorsed that day,
Ramjattan, breaking the initial, promise expressed during his address, his full support for Nagamootoo and Hughes as the party’s presidential and prime ministerial team.
Notably, the party’s congress, which was initially slated for October came at a time when the party is facing challenges, some of which are expected to cause some amount of unease within the party. Resignations which rank top of the list as a significant loss was felt when Sasenarine Singh, who was considered the party’s Finance Chief had tendered his letter of resignation.
Hughes had also tendered his resignation but it was not accepted. His resignation came after it was reported that he was the Company Secretary of Amaila Falls Hydro Inc.
However, Hughes in a release had said “the incorporation of the Amaila Falls Hydro Inc and my appointment as secretary had been a matter of public record since the incorporation of the Company in April 2009.
Prior to that, in March 2013, AFC Councillor Charrandas Persaud decided to leave the party over “recognition issues,” which were among a long list of his concerns that are yet to be addressed.
Several other members, including Dr. Asquith Rose and Tarron Khemraj, had resigned from the party and joined A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), because of unresolved conflicts and differences on policy issues and decisions taken by the AFC’s current leadership.
The AFC representative on the Region 2 (Pomeroon/ Supenaam) Regional Democratic Council (RDC), Archie Cordis, has also parted ways with the party.
In early October this year, former AFC Region 6 (East Berbice/ Corentyne) Councillor, Haseef Yusuf, a very vocal critic of the party, was replaced by popular businessman, Devindra Sookraj.
On the matter of the AFC losing ground in the very areas the party managed to sway supporters of the ruling party, as early as Monday, the PPP General Secretary, Clement Rohee, noted that the indications of a “dwindling support base” are clear.

He said: “This is a clear indication that those who voted for the party has lost confidence in them and are therefore returning to the PPP/C which has over the years upkept it’s programmes and policies all aimed at improving the lives of all Guyanese. The turnout at both rallies which were held over the weekend was less than favourable.
“…the hopes of AFC presidential candidate, Moses Nagamottoo to garner support for his party from East Berbice communities seem to be dwindling as most residents from Whim and Port Mourant boycotted two rallies by the party.”
The AFC Leader, in an invited comment to this newspaper, has since denied that this assertion ‘holds any water.’
Presently, as it relates to the division in the party, one faction prefers to be aligned to APNU and another is opposed to it.