Leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) and Presidential Candidate for A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Aubrey Norton, has downplayed the impact of recent high-profile resignations from the party, including those of former Members of Parliament (MPs) Amanza Walton-Desir and Jermaine Figueira, insisting their exits will not hinder the party’s performance at the September 1 General and Regional Elections.
At today’s press conference, Norton characterised Figueira’s departure as inconsequential. “Figueira was the occupier of a seat, not a heavyweight,” he declared, asserting that the former Chair of the powerful Public Accounts Committee (PAC) had shown minimal involvement in party work, especially in Region 10. Norton noted that Figueira, despite holding an executive post, had attended only one party meeting since his election and had not contributed significantly to the party’s organisational efforts.
Figueira, who resigned from both the PNCR and the National Assembly on June 28, described his decision as a “matter of principle.” In a strongly worded statement, he accused the PNCR leadership of abandoning the party’s core values of unity, ethics, and patriotism, stating, “What was once a platform for unifying vision now flirts perilously with dogma.”
He also criticised what he described as an internal culture steeped in “sycophancy, vindictiveness, and the systematic sidelining of faithful contributors.”
Although Norton dismissed Figueira’s influence, the former MP is a well-known figure in Region 10, where he serves as an teacher(educator), sports enthusiast, and head of a local branch of an international NGO that supports underprivileged children and communities. He also maintains a strong social media presence with over 18,000 followers.
On the resignation of Amanza Walton-Desir, Norton was equally dismissive, acknowledging her potential but asserting she lacks sufficient political experience. Walton-Desir, who held the position of Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, resigned from both the PNCR and Parliament on June 17, citing a toxic environment where her “contributions were undervalued” and her “voice silenced.”
In her parting statement, Walton-Desir said, “Sometimes, to step up, you must first step out. And so, I step forward out of deep responsibility to the people of this country and a conviction that something new is needed, something greater.”
She has since launched her own political movement, Forward Guyana. Walton-Desir also wields considerable online influence, with more than 34,000 followers on social media.
Despite the growing list of resignations, Norton maintains that none of the defectors will draw substantial support away from APNU. “They may have left, but they didn’t take our supporters with them,” he said. “Our base remains solid. The party is doing the groundwork, and the election results will reflect that.”
Figueira and Walton-Desir are part of a wave of senior figures who have stepped away from the PNCR in recent months. The list includes former MPs Geeta Chandan-Edmond, Natasha Singh-Lewis, and Vanessa Kissoon; Region Four Chairman Daniel Seeram and Vice Chairman Samuel Sandy; Region 10 Vice Chairman Mark Goring; former General Secretary Amna Ally; and former Minister Simona Broomes, who now leads the Assembly for Liberty and Prosperity (ALP) party.
While Norton insists that the party remains strong, observers point out that in Guyana’s Proportional Representation (PR) system, even small shifts in voter support can be decisive. A single vote can determine control of the presidency, a seat in the National Assembly, a Regional Democratic Council, or regional leadership.
As the election approaches, the PNCR leadership is attempting to project unity and resilience. Whether that image holds, and how the electorate will respond to the internal rifts, remains to be seen.
