A legal dispute between former opposition leader Aubrey Norton and Member of Parliament Odessa Primus has escalated following a series of letters exchanged between their lawyers over social media remarks.
Norton, who is also leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) and chairman of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), saw his legal team, led by Dexter Smartt, send a letter dated February 24, 2026, accusing Primus of publishing “false and malicious” statements on Facebook on January 30, 2026, alleging that he received monies from Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo. The letter demanded that Primus delete the post, issue a public apology, and pay $500,000 in compensation, claiming the statements damaged Norton’s reputation and employment prospects.
In response, prominent attorney Eusi Anderson, representing Primus — who is also General Secretary of the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) Party) — rejected the claims of defamation. In a letter dated March 17, 2026, Anderson argued that the post — which posed the question “Tell your people who collecting Bharat money?” — was rhetorical and not an assertion of wrongdoing. He stressed that Primus’ comments were aimed at promoting “accountability and transparency,” not making defamatory allegations, and clarified that she would neither apologise nor pay compensation.
The lawyers’ correspondence has highlighted tensions within Guyana’s opposition circles, as well as broader questions about the intersection of political expression and reputational protection on social media. Primus has been a vocal critic of political figures across the country, while Norton insists that his reputation has been harmed by the allegations.
As of press time, no lawsuit has been formally filed, though Norton’s legal team has indicated that further legal action remains possible if Primus does not comply with their demands. Observers say the case underscores the increasing role of legal mechanisms in addressing political disputes in Guyana’s highly charged social media environment.
