David Patterson takes over as interim AFC leader – INews Guyana

Days after Nigel Hughes resigned as Leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC) with immediate effect, the party’s National Executive Committee met on Friday and decided that its Chairman, David Patterson, would act as interim leader.

Hughes’ resignation came just over one year after taking up the role and less than a month after the AFC’s poor performance in the September 1 General and Regional Elections. The party was booted from the parliamentary opposition after failing to garner sufficient votes to secure a single seat.

But according to the AFC, its “…electoral performance rests collectively on the entire executive, and not on Mr. Hughes alone.” As such, the party intends to appeal to Hughes to continue serving as Leader until a National Conference is convened to elect new leadership.

See the full statement below:

AFC Executive Meets to Consider Leader’s Resignation

The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Alliance For Change (AFC) met
yesterday September 19, 2025, in extraordinary session to consider, among other
matters, the purported resignation of its elected Leader, Mr. C.A. Nigel Hughes.

While recognizing Mr. Hughes’ clear intention to act responsibly and uprightly by
accepting responsibility for the Party’s electoral misfortunes, the NEC unanimously
expressed its gratitude to him for his heroic efforts and invaluable contributions before
and during the campaign. The NEC further affirmed that the responsibility for the Party’s
electoral performance rests collectively on the entire executive, and not on Mr. Hughes
alone.

The NEC has also directed that a delegation of its members meets with Mr. Hughes to
appeal to him to continue serving as Leader until a National Conference is convened to
elect new leadership. In the interim, the Party’s Chairman, David Patterson, will fulfil the duties as Leader.

The Party further notes that history is replete with examples of political movements
reduced to zero seats in representative assemblies that have nevertheless managed to
recover and return stronger. In this regard, work has already commenced on a
comprehensive SWOT assessment of the AFC’s 2025 electoral performance, with
emphasis on identifying what is needed for the Party to regain its standing.

The NEC reaffirms its commitment to rebuilding and repositioning the AFC as a strong,
credible, and people-centered political force. The Party remains dedicated to serving the
people of Guyana, defending democracy, and advancing the interests of all citizens.

We call on all members, supporters, and well-wishers to remain united, steadfast, and
engaged as the AFC undertakes this process of renewal. Together, we will overcome
this moment of difficulty, and together, we will ensure that the AFC rises again to play its
rightful role in shaping a brighter future for Guyana.

END.

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