Chairman of the People’s National Congress Reform, Shurwayne Holder, has declared that the gloves are off, as he sought to defend his party leader, Aubrey Norton today over criticism from former party General Secretary, Amna Ally.
As the party’s biennial congress and elections near, the Chairman of the party took to his Facebook page this morning to lash out at the former General Secretary, Amna Ally, who has declared publicly that the current Leader of the party, Aubrey Norton, is unfit to continue in the position.
In his defence of Norton, the PNC Chairman said over the last two years, Norton has stuck to his promise to be on the ground with the people and to rebuild the PNCR from the bottom up.
“He has probably walked the ground more than some of his predecessors did even as president. He has successfully led a shift in diplomatic relations with the powers that be and has driven the PPP against the ropes. How foolish can anyone be to say he is not fit to lead the PNCR when he has done and continues to do what is necessary for us to gain power in the next General Elections”, Holder stated.
Norton has accused Amna Ally of orchestrating the campaign behind party executive member, Roysdale Forde, who has announced the start of his campaign to be the next leader of the PNC Reform.
The party congress and elections are expected to take place before the end of August.
Speaking to News Source this afternoon, the former General Secretary Amna Ally, said she is unapologetic about her support of Forde as the next Leader of the PNC Reform.
She has accused the current leader, Aubrey Norton, of not being accountable, dismantling party organs and “brukkin up the party in the process”.
“I have a right to say who I would like to be Leader, and who I will not like to be Leader. And there are many reasons, why I have said I do not want Aubrey Norton to be my Leader”, Ally said.
The former General Secretary said the current Leader has an issue with being honest and he has not been accountable with his stewardship of the party, citing the resignations of the previous General Secretary and a previous Treasurer.
“I don’t believe that he is fit to be Leader and I can say it anywhere without any fear of contradiction”, she said.
Amna Ally served as General Secretary of the PNC Reform from 2017 to 2021. After she exited the position three years ago, she has kept a low profile in the party, although she is considered to still be one of the most influential senior officials of the party.
However, the current PNC Reform Chairman, Shurwayne Holder, has questioned Ally’s absence from the party since she left the General Secretary Position, wanting to know what have been her contributions to the development of the party and the fight against the current PPP Government.
He said while he respects Amna Ally’s right to endorse whom ever she sees fit as the party gears up for elections, he does not believe she has “the moral authority to say who is unfit to lead the Party”. He has accused Ally of making efforts to divide the party.
In direct response to Holder, Amna Ally reminded that she has been in politics and with the PNC Reform for over 50 years. She said Holder was no place around when she entered politics and started her work for the party, which spanned over five decades. She dismissed Holder’s criticism of her position on Norton.
“I am a PNC Member and I have served the PNC for more than 53 years. I started in the PNC since the age of 14…and I don’t know when I started politics where was Shurwayne Holder. I grew up in politics and I have a right to say who I would like to be leader and who I would not like to be leader”, Ally said.
The former General Secretary said she has now been encouraged to do more and ensure the election of Roysdale Forde as the next PNC Reform Leader. She said “war break” and she will remain fully supportive for Forde.
Shurwayne Holder was elected as PNC Reform Chairman at the party’s last congress and elections. He is a first time Member of Parliament. The party’s Chairman is the second highest position in the People’s National Congress Reform.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login