Still reeling from its poor showing in the 2025 Elections, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) continues to hemorrhage as more of its former Members of Parliament, and Candidates, now turned Regional Councilors, continue to cross-over to the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP).

On Tuesday, three of its former Members of Parliament Ricky Ramsaroop, Shurwayne Holder and Dinesh Jaiprashad, along with current Regional Councillors Ravoldo Birbal, Sheik Yaseen, Prince Holder and Gangadai Lloyd met with the Vice President and General Secretary of the PPP/C, Bharrat Jagdeo on Tuesday at Freedom House.

In a brief statement late last night, the People’s National Congress led APNU, noted the recent decision by some of its former candidates and members to cross over to the PPP/C.

“Every individual in a democracy has the right to choose their political path, and we see it as their right,” the coalition said, but made it clear that the public announcement comes as no surprise.

But the party now wants the Regional Councilors to resign.

“The next act they must take is to resign from the Councils, since they occupy those seats because of votes from APNU supporters.  Anything else is an explicit declaration of the self-serving nature of their current pursuit,” APNU said.

Both Ravoldo Birbal and Sheik Yaseen were elected to the Region 4 Regional Democratic Council (RDC) as APNU Councillors, having formed part of the coalition’s List of Candidates heading into the 2025 Elections, while Gangadai Lloyd, another APNU Councillor sits on the Region 3 Regional Democratic Council. Prince Holder, who was once a longstanding member of the PNC, is also a Region 2 Regional Councilor for the APNU.

His son, Shurwayne Holder sat at the helm of the leadership of the PNC/R heading into the 2025 Elections as the party’s Chairman.

He was also on the coalition’s List of Candidates for the 2025 Elections, and it is suspected that his decision to cross-over to the PPP may have stemmed from the party’s decision not to have him return to the Parliament as Member of Parliament.

Notwithstanding this significant blow to the party, the APNU said it remains resolute in its defense of the Guyanese people. “We will continue to fight for the interests of the people of this nation, undistracted by their departure because they were not selected to go to Parliament. We wish them the best. Our struggle has never been about positions. It has always been about people, principle, and country,” it said.

Meanwhile, in another statement, the PPP/C said the meeting with the ex-coalition members and its General Secretary was called at their request.

“During the meeting, the group expressed to the General Secretary a desire to be associated with the People’s Progressive Party and to contribute meaningfully to Guyana’s ongoing development, while serving the interests of the Guyanese people, as the country advances along an unprecedented path of economic growth and modernization,” a section of the statement read.

According to the statement, the group was in high praises of the PPP/C’s stewardship of the economy, inclusive approach to governance, and the scale of transformation taking place across the country.

According to the statement, the ex-coalition members said the PPP/C has demonstrated the leadership, capacity and technical expertise required to effectively manage the country, sustain growth, and improve the welfare of every Guyanese, regardless of race, religion, or any other differentiating factor.

In response, General Secretary said the PPP/C remains opened to all as he welcomed the interest expressed by the group of ex-coalition members.

According to the statement, the PPP/C remains focus remains on strengthening national cohesion, expanding opportunities for citizens, and ensuring that the benefits of development reach all Guyanese.

The seven ex-coalition members add to a long list of APNU+AFC members, who have since crossed over to the PPP/C, including former APNU+AFC Members of Parliament, Jermaine Figueira and Geeta Chandan-Edmond.

Other coalition members, in the lead up to the 2025 Elections also joined forces with We Invest in Nationhood (WIN), while at former APNU+AFC Member of Parliament; Amanza Walton-Desir has formed her own party, the Forward Guyana Movement.

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