AFC Councillor Ismail Muhammad- Al-Cush endorses President Ali

Ismail Muhammad- Al-Cush, the APNU+AFC Region Five councillor has endorsed President Dr Irfaan Ali and the governing People Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).

His endorsement is the latest in a series ahead of the upcoming September 1, 2025 General and Regional elections.

Al-Cush made the announcement on Thursday. He cited “internal rambling” as a reson for his “detachment”.

“I, Ismail Muhammad- Al-Cush, Imam & Mujtahid of Number 3 Masjid, West Coast Berbice, formerly the Imam of Rosignol Masjid, West Bank Berbice, and a sitting APNU+AFC councilor of the Region Five RDC, hereby on my honor duly states that I have honorably detached myself from the AFC in order to preserve my dignity and integrity as a result of internal rambling,” Al-Cush said in a statement said.

In voicing his support for a second term for President Ali, Al-Cush said he was unable to witness transformation in communities in Region Five.

“I have sensibly never ever walked out of any meetings, even when I was requested/asked to do so. I always stood up and debated the issues until conclusion and represented and defended the citizenry of Region Five regardless of their political persuasion, and as such, I was privileged not only to see/witness the changes and transformation in the communities in Region Five and the country at large, but was and is part of the transition,” he explained in the statement.

“It is on these grounds that I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending to the voting population the sitting President Dr.  Irfan Ali, Prime Minister Mark Phillips, Vice President Bharat Jagdeo, and their team for a second team in office in order to facilitate the development, progress and prosperity that is already in process for a united Guyana 🇬🇾 in diversity with equity,” Al-Cush added in the statement.

“So let’s trust the process and unite unconditionally for E-Day 2025 and onwards by voting for the PPP/C for a better/good life in this region and country at large,” he urged.

On Monday, Opposition MP and former PNC General Secretary Geeta Chandan-Edmond declared her support for the President from the floor of the National Assembly. Her resignation follows similar moves by other high-profile political figures including Lenox Shuman of the Liberty and Justice Party; The Citizenship Initiative’s Shazaam Ally; and senior PNC/R operatives Daniel Seeram, Samuel Sandy, and Dr. Richard Van-West Charles.

The latest to defect is David Daniels, the AFC’s Region Seven Chairman and founder of the Small Miners Association, who on Tuesday declared his support for President Ali and the governing People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C).

Months earlier, businessman and former parliamentarian James Bond also broke ranks with the PNC/R, publicly endorsing President Irfaan Ali and praising the PPP’s development agenda. Prominent Guyanese-Canadian civil rights lawyer Selwyn Pieters also declared his support for President Ali.