While Alliance for Change (AFC) member Nigel Hughes says his resignation as Chairman remains in effect, the party does not seem to want to let him go as its Leader, Khemraj Ramjattan maintains that Hughes is still in the post.
“I resigned a few months ago as Chairman and my status remains unchanged,” Hughes told Stabroek News in response to a question on his status.
It has been five months since the prominent city attorney tendered his resignation following a retreat by the party where statements were issued on matters including the powers of the Minister of State, Joseph Harmon.
After his resignation, the party swiftly held a high-level meeting of its executives and subsequently informed the public that consideration of the resignation would be deferred.
The AFC had explained that during the meeting there was detailed and frank discussion on a series of issues and a decision taken to have Hughes proceed on a leave of absence.
“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,” the party said in a statement.
But Ramjattan said from where he stands, Hughes is still Chairman and continues to contribute to the party.
“As far as I know he still is Chairman. He had indicated that he would take a leave from the Chairmanship for some time and indeed at our MC (management committee) meetings he has not been there but he is still the chairman and a leading member of the Alliance for Change, as far as I can say,” he told this newspaper.
“As far as I know he has been active, doing some work for the constitutional reform committee and I do not want to say that he has not been active. He has also helped in the preparation of the amendment that was tabled by Michael Carrington and obviously he has been doing some work behind the scenes. He has taken a kind of a short leave,” the Public Security Minister added.
And while he did not say if the party would reject Hughes’ resignation or if a replacement will be named, AFC General Secretary David Patterson pointed out that no one is currently acting on Hughes’ behalf. He explained too that any changes would be made at the party’s next national conference, although he did not say when the next one would be.
“Nigel remains a valuable member of the AFC, during his absence no one has been identified to act on his behalf, neither will anyone be so appointed!” he exclaimed.
Further, Patterson added, “Any change in the leadership of the AFC will be done at our next national conference”.
The view that Hughes is a great asset to the AFC was echoed by others members this newspaper spoke to, although some did not want to go on record.
“Mr. Hughes remains a member of the party even though he resigned as Chairman. I think we all would welcome reconsideration of that stance (to resign) but I think we all understand the position that he took and fully appreciate his position…I would reiterate he has brought great value to our party,” executive member and Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin asserted.
“I think Nigel is a great guy in the political arena. I personally don’t think he should leave the position as chairman but I can’t force him to stay. If he chooses to go we really can’t do anything. In campaigning he is a power force. He has many things planned and many good intentions for Guyana,” Hughes’ friend and Parliamentarian Michael Carrington told Stabroek News.
“When you are in politics, it takes a lot of your time and your earning power away because you don’t get to work as you want to so I don’t know if it’s that too . He never really wanted any position in government you know. He just wants what is good for Guyana…Nigel is just a great and sincere person,” he added.
For Carrington, Hughes’ resignation hits home more than others because he is the go-to person for government, policy and legal advice. In fact, he pointed out that an upcoming motion in his name seeking to soften penalties for possession of marijuana for personal use is actually Hughes’ Bill.
“It’s a Private Member’s Bill he prepared. He showed and explained in detail the section to be amended and all of that. It is basically his bill and he asked me to table it for him,” Carrington informed.
He said both he and Hughes remain confident that the National Assembly will see the rationale behind their position and support them. “We think the Act is unjust. Imagine a man gets caught with a joint and gets three and four years and a person shipping a large shipment of cocaine, sometimes a whole container he gets the same time. How can that be fair? The smoker is only committing a crime against himself but the cocaine dealer – who is to say the number of persons – and we are taking away his liberty and putting him in prison with hardened criminals,” he stated.
