Consideration by the AFC of the resignation of its Chairman Nigel Hughes has been deferred and he will instead proceed on a leave of absence, a statement today from the party said.
Hughes’ resignation came on Monday, a day after the AFC issued a statement calling for the powers of the Minister of State, Joseph Harmon to be trimmed. It was thought that some influential members of the AFC were not in agreement with the statement and this led to Hughes tendering his resignation.
A statement from the AFC follows:
Subsequent to Mr. Nigel Hughes tendering his resignation as Chairman of the Alliance For Change a high level meeting involving the Leader of the Party, Khemraj Ramjattan, the General Secretary, David Patterson and Mr. Hughes was held as mandated by the AFC’s Management Committee.
During this meeting, detailed and frank discussions were had on the current political environment in Guyana and in particular, the Coalition Government’s first year in office, the party’s relationship with its coalition partners and the AFC’s performance during this period. After a most productive working session it was agreed that consideration by the Party of Chairman Hughes’s resignation letter will be deferred and he will instead proceed on a leave of absence from the duties and responsibilities of Chairman for a period of reflection and review after which a mutual decision will be taken.
Mr. Hughes has reiterated firmly and unequivocally that he remains fully committed to the AFC and its development agenda for the country and he will remain an active and vocal member of the Party. It was further agreed that during the interregnum of his absence from active duties as Chairman he will continue political and policy work on behalf of the Party by concentrating his efforts on three critical and important pillars of the AFC’s agenda, those being Constitutional Reform, Broadcast Legislation and other core legal matters which the AFC has committed itself to advance in the interest of the Guyanese society.
The leadership of the AFC wholeheartedly recognises the significant contribution of the Chairman of the Party and accepts his decision to recalibrate his focus and attention at this time as the Party continues its historic mission on setting Guyana on a firm and steady path of sustained progress.
