Rift in FGM as Walton-Desir alleges she was threatened

Last Updated on Wednesday, 24 September 2025, 21:24 by Writer

Cracks on Wednesday emerged in the Forward Guyana Movement (FGM), a three-party coalition, after its leader and presidential candidate Amanza Walton-Desir publicly complained someone from Vigilant Political Action Committee (VPAC) threatened her.

Vowing that “I will not tolerate threats”, she alleged that the unnamed VPAC person messaged her by phone stating, “Amanza, I am giving you one last chance to reconcile with VPAC or else.”

VPAC leader Dorwain Bess could not be reached immediately for comment, but on Tuesday evening he said on Facebook that coalition politics is not about silencing differences but about ensuring that disagreement does not descend into disunion. “Some politicians change their party for the sake of their principles while others change their principles for the sake of their party. Guyana cannot afford leaders who mistake stubbornness for strength, or ego for vision,” he added.

Ms Walton-Desir made it clear that she had no problem with the leader of The People’s Movement (TPM), Pastor Nigel Nyambe London whom she described as “my erstwhile brother”. Mr London later joined her Facebook Live, expressing solidarity with her and praising the FGM. “The Forward Guyana Movement has been a family-oriented entity. Families could disagree, families could fuss but we ain’t go threaten anybody and we are not going to bully our sisters,” Pastor London said.

In her Facebook Live, Ms Walton-Desir said she could not hold herself out as an advocate and defender of women but remain silent on the alleged threat. The lawyer by profession said she interpreted the alleged threat as targeting the party because its symbol is the bridge. ” I want it to be very clear that I do not take threat and bullying. He knows himself and that is the last bit of grace that I will offer him,” said Ms Walton-Desir who resigned from the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) in June and went on to form FGM which later entered into an electoral alliance with VPAC and TPM.

The FGM leader said her party’s vote would be important in determining the chairmanship of Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice).