Former Minister Dominic Gaskin, who served under the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration, has expressed strong beliefs that the coalition’s attempts to rig the 2020 elections will have lasting repercussions as the 2025 polls approach.
Recently, Dominic Gaskin, also the son-in-law of former President David Granger, predicted a win for the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) in next year’s elections.
“I also said at the time, in my view, the coalition lost two elections at the same time. They lost the 2020 elections, and because of what took place after that election, I think they lost the 2025 election in advance, and I still hold that view – not with any malice for anything… I don’t think they can recover from what happened in 2020 in the 2025 elections. So, I think the PPP will win that election simply because of what took place in 2020,” Gaskin stated.
This reiterates a point he made back in 2020, during the prolonged electoral impasse following the March 2 elections, when the APNU/AFC coalition refused to concede defeat. Despite a Caricom-led national recount confirming the PPP/C’s victory, the coalition led by David Granger continued to delay through legal challenges.
In his recent comments, Gaskin emphasised the need for the AFC and the People’s National Congress (PNC)-led APNU to demonstrate a commitment to respecting the will of the electorate in the upcoming elections. “I hope that nothing similar takes place in 2025 and that the current Opposition is prepared to recognise it as the legitimate will of the people, whatever the outcome of the election is. I’m not saying if there are some discrepancies or irregularities that they can’t, by way of an election petition or whatever the legally prescribed process is, to challenge… But don’t lose the election and then take to the streets and try to discredit the entire election because Guyanese participate in the elections – hundreds of thousands of people go out there, and they cast their vote – and they cast their vote with the expectation that their vote will be recognised. The totality of those votes will be recognised and determined by who forms the next Government,” he asserted.
Gaskin believes that if APNU and the AFC can successfully navigate the next election while adhering to democratic principles, it will help restore their credibility. After their loss in 2020, the AFC officially severed ties with APNU in December 2022, marking a significant shift in their political strategy. Former AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan indicated that while the parties would work separately, they would collaborate in Parliament.
Following the election of Nigel Hughes as its new leader, the AFC expressed intentions to assess its path forward, with newly elected Chairman David Patterson noting, “All the possibilities are on the table.” Gaskin, who has stepped back from politics, voiced his support for the AFC, which is participating independently in the 2025 elections. He stated that such a move could help rebuild the party’s parliamentary strength, reminiscent of its performance in 2011.
“I think Nigel is likely to take more votes from the (PNC-led APNU) Opposition’s electorate than the PPP’s…traditional base, and that might be enough to put them back… to where they were in 2011, which I think would be a good thing going forward for the AFC because it means that it’s an independent party on its own and it has a decent parliamentary strength for a third small party,” he noted.
Gaskin, who confirmed he is no longer involved in party politics and does not support any political party, expressed skepticism about the opposition’s chances. “If I say that I believe the next election is going to result in another victory for the PPP… why am I wasting my time getting involved in a campaign with a pre-determined result – that’s my view… I can’t hold that opinion and still want to support a party or be actively involved in a campaign that I don’t believe is heading anywhere,” he stressed.
He also reflected on past controversies, including the no-confidence motion against the Granger administration in December 2018, which led to extensive legal disputes and delays in the electoral process. The Caribbean Court of Justice eventually clarified that 33 is the majority of the 65-member House, a ruling that played a significant role in shaping the political landscape.