AFC cancels membership of Fernandes, Duncan & Ramsaroop after defection; says latest coalition proposal was rejected by APNU

The Alliance For Change (AFC) has announced the formal cancellation of the membership of executive members Juretha Fernandes, Sherod Duncan and Deonarine “Ricky” Ramsaroop, citing their confirmed defection to A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and participation on that party’s list of candidates for the upcoming General and Regional Elections scheduled for September 1, 2025.

In a statement issued Wednesday night, the AFC said its General Secretary had written to the trio seeking clarification following media reports of their alignment with APNU but received no response.

“However, independently, the Party has been able to verify that the three… have officially subscribed to membership of the APNU,” the party confirmed.

The move comes amid crumbling coalition negotiations between the AFC and APNU. According to the AFC, a final proposal for a unified front was submitted on Tuesday through a trusted intermediary. It outlined a power-sharing formula where APNU would nominate the Presidential Candidate, while the AFC would name the Prime Ministerial Candidate — a continuation of the 2015 coalition tradition. The draft also proposed a 65/35 seat allocation ratio and an independently nominated Representative of the List.

However, the AFC said it was informed the following day that APNU rejected the proposal, insisting instead on also naming the AFC’s Prime Ministerial candidate — a demand the AFC has deemed “totally unacceptable.”

“This last proposal gave APNU all they have been asking for to agree to a coalition,” the statement read. “The AFC decided at all costs it would play its role in response to public feedback and the nation’s desire for a unified opposition. It is now clear the APNU was and is not interested in a coalition.”

Juretha Fernandes, one of the defectors, has been a vocal and high-profile AFC member, having served on its National Executive Committee and as the party’s representative on the Public Accounts Committee in Parliament. She had also acted as party Chair at various intervals. Her departure — along with Duncan and Ramsaroop — is seen as a major shift in opposition dynamics ahead of the polls.

Fernandes has been tapped to be the APNU’s Prime Ministerial candidate.

While expressing disappointment in the manner of the departure, the AFC extended well wishes to the trio: “The Alliance For Change is a party founded on the democratic principles of freedom of choice… and takes the opportunity to wish them well in their future endeavours and political careers.”

The party concluded its statement with a warning that any “private arrangement established without consultation and completely contrary to the established protocols of the negotiations” is unacceptable.