Leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), Aubrey Norton, today downplayed any impact from the recent resignations of longtime party members Amna Ally and Vanessa Kissoon.

He said the party continues to see new members being added to its roll. In the case of former General Secretary, Amna Ally, Mr. Norton said she has been inactive in the party for more than three years and as such, her resignation is a non-issue.

“Amna Ally has not been involved in the PNC since December 2021 when I became leader. Most members of the party believed that she had resigned already, so, I don’t know what it is, you are talking about. So, as far as I am concerned, that is a non-issue,” the party leader told reporters.

In her letter of resignation, Ally cited continuous disregard for women as the reason for her resignation, and called for Norton and his entire Executive to step down. Her resignation followed the resignation of longtime party member, Vanessa Kissoon. Kissoon cited personal reasons for her resignation.

Aside from Ally, and Kissoon, PNCR member, Attorney-at-Law James Bond, who once served in Parliament, has publicly endorsed President Irfaan Ali for re-election.

Norton said the PNC will continue its work on the ground, engaging old and new supporters and gearing up for the upcoming elections.

“Our supporters and members are working and they are satisfied that we can beat the People’s Progressive Party. Why do I have to be worried? … There will always be people in a political situation, who, I don’t want to use the word opportunistically, but those who believe that they are better served by joining the government, there will always be those. We have had Odinga Lumumba, it didn’t destroy the party; Joe Hamilton, has it destroyed the party? The mere idea of people leaving, in fact some people that leave, probably allow the party to breathe because some of the accusations made against them will no longer be targeted at the party,” Norton said.  

He said the party is not affected by the “departures,” and he expects that others may also leave the party ahead of the elections. He said the PNC remains strong.

“It has been holding successful activities. You just need to look at the turn out at our activities that are more than many that they had before, and so, why should we worry. More and more people are joining the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) and the APNU. More and more people are quietly supporting us. There will always be those, who go after filthy lucre. I wouldn’t worry,” the PNCR Leader said.

Norton became Leader of the PNCR in 2021 and won his re-election bid last year. He previously served as General Secretary of the party. As Leader of the PNC, he is the likely Presidential candidate for the party heading into the next elections.

Related posts:

Amna Ally resigns from PNC Reform; Urges Norton and Executive to step down GECOM says it has no authority to remove TNM Leader from National Assembly, but still discussing the issue PNC/R Chairman lashes out at Former General Secretary in defence of Norton; Amna Ally responds PNC Florida Chapter members file no-confidence motion against party leader; Norton sees motion as dead on arrival