Chairman of the Alliance For Change (AFC), David Patterson, has firmly denied allegations that his party engages in sexism, racism, and homophobia. Speaking at the party’s weekly press conference on Friday, Patterson described the AFC as a “free and liberal party,” addressing recent claims made by former Vice President for the Youth for Change (YFC), Onix Duncan, and Advisor Dillon Mohamed, who recently resigned.
In their resignation letters, Duncan and Mohamed alleged that the AFC failed to foster a genuinely inclusive environment and cited instances of disrespectful and homophobic behavior towards members. Patterson refuted these claims, asserting, “It is hard to think that we can be accused of not being tolerant when we were going to enshrine the right to representation in the constitution.”
He acknowledged that while internal issues may exist, the party has consistently demonstrated a commitment to inclusion across all races, ethnicities, and sexual orientations. “We have been at the forefront of that without fear,” he stated.
The AFC has recently experienced a wave of resignations, including three Members of Parliament—Juretha Fernandes, Sherod Duncan, and Deonarine Ramsaroop—who have joined the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU). Additionally, Mark Goring, a Vice Chairman of Region Ten, has also resigned without citing reasons.
Patterson expressed disappointment but maintained a supportive stance towards former members. “This is a free and liberal party; we practice liberal democracies. If a member chooses to resign, we wish them well,” he said, emphasizing the AFC’s openness to former and current members.
The AFC’s former coalition partner, the PNC/APNU, has also faced a series of resignations among senior members. Coalition talks between the AFC and PNC/APNU for the upcoming polls have collapsed, with both parties signaling their intention to contest the elections independently by submitting separate symbols to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).
As of now, a total of 22 parties have submitted symbols to participate in the September 1, 2025, elections, with the deadline for submitting their List of Candidates set for July 14.
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