Attorney Nigel Hughes has tendered his resignation as chairman of the Alliance For Change (AFC), which is part of the coalition government.
Speaking with Stabroek News last evening Hughes confirmed that he had tendered his resignation, but declined to offer a reason for the decision. He has promised to issue a press release today.
When contacted for comment, Leader of the AFC Khemraj Ramjattan directed this newspaper to a press release issued by the party.
In the brief release the AFC said that at a statutory committee meeting of the party yesterday, “Chairman Nigel Hughes made an announcement with regard to his chairmanship of the party.”
According to the release, Ramjattan who was present at the meeting subsequently spoke with Hughes and a meeting was arranged for today.
It further stated that the party unequivocally confirms that the statement issued after its leadership retreat was unanimously approved by the attendees of the retreat.
Hughes’ resignation comes one day after a release from the party which claimed that the concentration of various powers in Minister Joseph Harmon was the key reason for difficulties that have flared up around the government. In the release, the party said it planned to raise this issue at Cabinet as a matter of national importance.
“The Alliance For Change is of the opinion that the current difficulties which the government has encountered in the continuing revelations arising out of the appointment of the Advisor on Business Development and the issues surrounding this, have their roots in the concentration of the powers of the office of the Cabinet Secretary, the Minister of State in the Ministry of the Presidency and the effective Head of Presidential Secretariat in a single person,” the party said.
It argued that the responsibilities of each of the portfolios are substantial and of vital importance to the smooth operations of the government and would therefore benefit from separate appointments.
“The Alliance For Change has mandated its leadership in Cabinet to have these issues raised and addressed as a matter of national importance,” the statement said.
The disclosure of Harmon’s appointment of businessman Brian Tiwarie as an advisor triggered an avalanche of criticism and further disclosures which have left the administration groping for answers. Within a day, Granger rescinded Tiwarie’s appointment saying that his services were not needed. However, the government then faced accusations that Harmon had interfered with the Guyana Revenue Authority and halted its planned seizure of vehicles belonging to controversial Chinese logging company, Baishanlin. Further, at the point that Granger cancelled Tiwarie’s appointment, both Harmon and Tiwarie were in China. A fresh set of questions have emerged about this trip.
In its statement, the AFC also said that it is committed to responsible and transparent governance and looks forward to the conclusion of the Code of Conduct for government officials and the application of same. The APNU+AFC government has been criticised for not finalising the code 11 months into its administration despite having promised this in its pre-general election campaign.
“The Alliance For Change reiterates its commitment to the coalition government while recognising that the principles of good governance, transparency and equal opportunity are fundamental to the success of the coalition,” the party, which holds 12 seats in Parliament, said.
