Seeram leading APNU+AFC Councillors Into a ditch

IN THE SPAN OF ONLY EIGHT MONTHS REGIONAL CHAIRMAN DANIEL
SEERAM has become toxic to his fellow Councillors from the A Partnership for National Unity,
Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition.
The former soldier they feel, confuses the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) for the army
barracks.
“The Regional Chairman wants to run the Region with the support of the Councillors in similar
fashion like [former] President (David) Granger did, like an army. It seems that because of his
military background he is not inclined to taking suggestions, accepting that not every view and
opinion that he has will see full support and operating in a more democratic manner,” a coalition
RDC member said on conditions of strict confidentiality.
Continuing, the Regional Councillor noted with Seeram, “it is as if you can’t agree with
whatever he wants to do then you are not on his side, and this is what is making us look like
fools to the government.”
Demerara/Mahaica (Region Four) is the most-populated of the 10 Administrative Regions in
Guyana, and has seemingly lost its way since the party was runner-up in the March 2020 polls.
Since August 2020, some prominent coalition members have left the party, these include, inter
alia, AFC Region Ten (Upper Demerara/Berbice) former MP, Mr, Audwin Rutherford; Region
Five, (Mahaica/Berbice) Councillor, Mr. Abel Seetaram; AFC Lindener, Vladimir Glasgow;
senior AFC member and academic, Mr. Leonard Craig; former MP, Mr. Reynard Ward; former
executive, Mr. Joel Edmonds, and most-recently, former Chair of the AFC’s Georgetown
Chapter, Mr. Michael Leonard.
There are several complaints of infighting among coalition RDC members in Region Four
because of Seeram’s dictatorial style. There are reports quietly circulating that other

APNU+AFC Councillors are contemplating abandoning the embattled coalition and cross the
floor.
www.aroundtheregions.com has learnt from usually reliable sources that Seeram himself wants
to return to the fold of the ruling People Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) coalition
Seeram is unhappy that some of his RDC colleagues do not respond to his drills and blindly
endorse some of his highly “questionable decisions”. Since then, he has taken to sidelining them
and/or ignoring their contributions at many Regional fora.
The matter has reportedly reached boiling point forcing some APNU+AFC Councillors to
discuss moving a motion of no-confidence over his “selfish, victimising and discriminatory
leadership”.
The former Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Captain’s toxic leadership style is also reportedly
affecting relations with his Vice Chairman, Mr. Samuel Sandy. Seeram and Sandy have had
several spats lately to the point where the driver of the former has become emotionally involved.
Several attempts to get a comment from Seeram proved futile.
However, his driver took the liberty to accuse the www.aroundtheregions.com reporter of
receiving “inside information” from the Vice Chairman, Sandy.
In an expletive-laced rant, the RC’s driver also accused Sandy and other RDC members of
“blocking the progress of the party” swearing they will soon be removed.
Since Seeram seems to be the personal favourite of PNC General Secretary, Ms. Amna Ally,
many are reasoning whether Seeram’s ploy is to deliberately weaken making it uncompetitive at
the next polls in the short term.
“We are in opposition and it is only logical that we seek to build bridges. But this isn’t the
approach taken by Chairman Seeram as all he is seeking to do is to destroy bridges. What is
ironic is that the Government is attempting to reach out to many, and while we are in opposition
and is expected to do the same, the Regional Chairman is working towards destroying

relationships. He seems happy to be engaging in controversies and disputes, which don’t augur
well for the party’s chances at the next elections,” a Councillor noted.
Some Councillors have noted that, strangely, Seeram has become, virtually, a puppet of Mr.
Deoraj Nauth, a RDC member of the ruling PPP/C.
“I can see that this man wants to use an army-approach to how he runs the RDC, and many times
we would remind him – in a joking and subtle manner – that he isn’t in charge of the army but
rather a democratically elected and operated Council. Therefore, his style of management must
be completely different,” a Councillor said.
“It’s clear that this man was never really a genuine supporter of the PNC as his views and style
of leadership is one that we will not tolerate in the party and he only sought to support the party
because they were in government at the time and he was merely seeking opportunities,” another
Councillor offered.
Reports have emerged that Seeram has even threatened to have some of the RDC opposition
members recalled based on his relationship with Amna Ally, causing many to question his
loyalty to the party.
“During the (2020) campaign, there were many questions asked about Daniel Seeram because
many of us (seniors) were not very comfortable as we felt that he wasn’t genuine and had not
been in the party long enough to have been given the kind of push that he was getting. But
frankly, being an ex-army man and more so, personally appreciated by Amna Ally, meant that he
had ‘ranks’. What we are now seeing may be a manifestation of what we feared, and I can tell
you that the party will pay dearly for this as its evident that a huge mistake was made,” a former
MP counselled.
Another stressed that the selection process used by the party was heavily flawed. The former MP
said that no meaningful efforts were used in verifying and/or properly scrutinising (characters
such as) Seeram who many had expressed grave doubts about because he was a known longtime
supporter of the PPPC.
“However, like anything else, once Amna wants someone then no one seems to have the
authority to question her decision, and like Amna, he is practicing the same (virulent) style of

leadership he has adopted from her. What I can tell you is that the party has some bright young
leadership and I am confident that they will do whatever it takes to prevent any effort/s by the
RC to do things his own way as there will be a stop,” the former MP said confidently.