Contrary to a statement issued last evening that Aubrey Norton, then Chairman of the A Partnership For National Unity (APNU) was not invited to a meeting, evidence provided shows he was invited and sent a reminder.
Yesterday, the APNU, in a release said on June 6, 2024 it held its first Executive Council meeting since January 25, 2022. Absent was the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), the major party in the Partnership. The partnership elected elected Vincent Henry, Leader of the Guyana Action Party, its new Chairman and Tabitha Sarabo-Halley, Leader of the Guyana Nation Builders, the General Secretary.
The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) countered stating no invitation was received. According to the release “The PNCR wishes to note that any claim that the PNCR was invited to a meeting is totally untrue, as we received no such invitation.” The Party also stated the “what purports to be an APNU elections is unauthorised and null and void.”
The new leadership of APNU fired back, debunking the claim. According to its release and letters seen below, then chairman, Aubrey Norton, was sent an email on June 3, 2024 of the meeting and a reminder on June 5, 2024, the day before the meeting.
The new leadership also stated the position of General Secretary was vacant since Joe Harmon resigned.
To Norton’s contention, the membership does not have the loci standing to call a meeting, the new leadership said any member of the Executive Council has the right to request a meeting of the Executive Council. “A letter requesting an urgent meeting of the APNU Executive Council was sent to the then Chairman, Mr. Aubrey Norton, the statement on June 3, 2024 and a reminder sent on June 5, 2024.”
It was also pointed out the position of General Secretary remained vacant from January 25, 2022 after Joe Harmon’s resignation until June 6, 2024 when Tabitha Sarabo-Halley was elected.
In formal organisation the failure of an officer to call a meeting does not prevent members from the organisation requesting it.
According to the release the APNU held no meetings for more than two, which is the period under Norton’s leadership. The issue not only exposes the dysfunction in the management of APNU entity but suggests Norton may have bitten off more than he can chew or just wasn’t the best candidate for the position.
The new leadership said they believe all members of the Partnership, including the PNCR, are equally important, and hope they can work together assiduously to unseat the PPP in 2025.
A source told Village Voice News the fact the second statement was issued by the new APNU leadership is also testimony how APNU is functioning, and the fact there has not been a meeting for more than two years, if we are to accept what Norton says, there lies the issue of his performance
See full statement issued by APNU last evening
A PARTNERSHIP FOR NATIONAL UNITY PRESS STATEMENT
8th June 2024
For Immediate Release
APNU hereby brings the following to the attention of the Press:
APNU hereby brings the following to the attention of the Press: Any member of the Executive Council has the right to request a meeting of the Executive Council of the APNU.
A letter requesting an urgent meeting of the APNU Executive Council was sent to the then Chairman, Mr. Aubrey Norton via Email on 3rd June 2024 and a reminder sent on 5th June 2024. It is to be noted that the position of General Secretary remained vacant from 25th January 2022 to 6th June, 2024 when a new General Secretary was elected.
We in the APNU believe that all members of the Partnership, including the PNCR, are equally important, and hope that we can work together assiduously to unseat the PPP in 2025. Please note the logo above properly reflects the current membership of the APNU.
