AFC makes big demands to join APNU coalition

The Alliance for Change (AFC) has insisted that party leader Nigel Hughes be the presidential candidate in any coalition with A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).

In a statement issued last night, the party said the decision was made at a special meeting of its National Executive Committee.

The AFC also stated that it will accept 40 percent of all levels of government, with the remaining 60 per cent of positions going to APNU.

“The party from which the presidential candidate is named shall not be permitted to nominate and/or occupy the position of leader of the list,” the AFC outlined as another condition for a coalition with APNU.

The electoral strength of the AFC has significantly diminished since 2015, to the point that it did not contest the 2022 Local Government Elections.

The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) is the largest party in the APNU coalition.

PNCR leader and head of APNU, Aubrey Norton, while acknowledging the importance of a united opposition, had previously appeared to dismiss the idea of Hughes leading a coalition of opposition parties.

“I don’t believe that we should just take the hard work we do and give it to anybody who just flies off a tree top, lands on the ground, and says you must be the presidential candidate,” he had said.

Speaking at his party’s recent General Council meeting, Norton reiterated that APNU is committed to working towards a coalition but emphasised, “We not gon let anybody tek dem eyes and pass we.”

“We are well aware that we are better together, but we are also well aware that we carry the burden of the work. And I want to make this commitment to you—that this party will not allow anybody to ride on your backs. We are prepared to engage and be reasonable, but we are not prepared to bend over backwards,” he affirmed.