Guyana’s main opposition, People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), on Wednesday moved to “correct this inaccuracy” regarding the resignation of Amanza Walton-Desir, who stepped down from both the party and parliament.
Walton-Desir had announced her resignation as a Member of Parliament for the opposition coalition, A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC). She had cited concerns that she could not be guaranteed selection as a candidate for the upcoming general and regional elections slated for September 1.
Last week, Walton-Desir publicly voiced frustration over the failure of APNU and AFC to finalize a coalition agreement ahead of the elections, urging the two parties to return to negotiations.
In a detailed statement, the PNCR clarified the sequence of events leading to her resignation. On June 7, the party’s leader, Aubrey Norton, accompanied by a party official, met with Walton-Desir to discuss her involvement in the election.
“Walton-Desir was informed that she could bring an additional person to the meeting, but she declined to do so,” the statement said. During the meeting, Walton-Desir inquired whether she could be guaranteed extraction from the list to become a member of the next Parliament.
“In response, Mr Norton assured her that she will be extracted to be a member of Parliament. She was also informed of the role she would play in the APNU government. She then asked about her role in the campaign, and Mr. Norton informed her that she would be a member of the campaign management team. Ms Walton-Desir then stated that she needed to consult her team and would revert.”
However, the party said it never received a response from Walton-Desir, who instead submitted a letter of resignation. The PNCR stated that in her resignation letter, Walton-Desir “claims that no offer was made to her,” which the party called “a gross misrepresentation of the facts.”
“The Party finds it necessary to correct this inaccuracy and is therefore placing this clarification in the public domain in response to the misleading statements contained in her letter of resignation,” the PNCR said.
On behalf of the party and the Parliamentary Opposition, the statement extended “gratitude to Ms Walton-Desir for her service and wishes her well in her future endeavours.”
In related political developments, earlier this month opposition legislator Geeta Chandan-Edmond publicly endorsed President Irfaan Ali and the ruling People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) ahead of the elections, stating that Ali has earned a second term and that Guyana deserves nothing less.
