The Working People’s Alliance (WPA) has paid tribute to former People’s National Congress leader Robert Corbin, remembering him as a key architect of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and a leader who demonstrated political courage in bringing rival parties together.
In a statement issued on October 4, the WPA said Corbin’s death came as a shock despite his having been unwell for some time. The party described him as the PNC leader with whom it had worked most closely.
The WPA recalled that Corbin led the PNC delegations in talks and negotiations that eventually resulted in the formation of APNU. It said his willingness to engage the WPA, despite the parties’ history of hostility, reflected a commitment to power sharing, national unity and political pragmatism.
The party described Corbin as a shrewd and fierce negotiator who treated the WPA and other parties with respect. It also credited his commitment to inclusion with helping to broaden APNU’s membership to accommodate smaller political parties.
However, the WPA expressed disappointment that Corbin’s political skills were not properly utilised by the APNU-AFC government. It said his passing came at a time when Guyana’s politics lacked the civility he had demonstrated during their engagement.
The WPA extended condolences to Corbin’s family and close associates, and sympathy to the PNC, expressing hope that his legacy would receive its rightful recognition.
Full text of the WPA release, with minor typographical corrections:
WPA release to the media
October 4, 2026
WPA joins the rest of Guyana in mourning the death of former PNC leader, Robert Corbin. Although we know that he had been ailing for some time, his passing still comes as a shock to us. He was the PNC leader that the WPA worked closest with. Hence, we came to know him very well.
We remember him chiefly as one of the architects of the APNU. He led the PNC delegations during the talks and negotiations with the WPA that eventually led to the birth of the partnership. He displayed tremendous political courage when he decided to engage the WPA, the then arch-enemy of the PNC. We later found out that this was driven by a commitment to power sharing, national unity, and political pragmatism. He was, therefore, an impactful leader, who at a critical historical juncture placed cause and the collective good above narrow partisan interests. In this regard, WPA was disappointed that his immense political skills were not properly utilized by the APNU-AFC government.
Mr. Corbin was a shrewd and fierce negotiator but was respectful to the WPA and other parties. If he was afflicted by the Big Party-Small Party syndrome, he never displayed it. That the APNU was broadened to include other so-called small parties, is testimony to his commitment to inclusion as genuine praxis. Mr. Corbin leaves us at a time when Guyana’s politics is bereft of the civility that guided his attitude during the period in question.
We extend condolences to his family and close associates. We also extend our sympathy to the PNC. May his legacy eventually find its rightful place in the veins of our country’s body politic.
