Norton blisters Mohamed, demands APNU seat on local gov’t commission

Last Updated on Wednesday, 19 August 2026, 22:16 by Writer

Chairman of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR)-led A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Aubrey Norton on Wednesday protested Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed’s refusal to include at least one APNU nominee to sit on the Local Government Commission (LGC).

In a strongly worded letter to Mr Mohamed, who is leader of the main opposition 16-seat We Invest in Nationhood (WIN), Mr Norton demanded that either Ms Joan Ann Ramascindo or Mr Ronald Daniels be selected to sit on the commission which is responsible for hiring, disciplining and firing local government officers across Guyana.

“APNU’s position is clear. With 12 seats in the National Assembly and elected councillors across the local government system, APNU has a legitimate and compelling claim to at least one seat on the Local Government Commission.

“We therefore demand that this matter be reconsidered and that APNU be appropriately represented among the nominees,” Mr Norton said in the letter that was copied to President Irfaan Ali.

When contacted Wednesday night, Mr Mohamed told Demerara Waves Online News that his party would soon respond to Mr Norton’s letter, and he left open the possibility of the two sides holding fresh engagements.

“Not including APNU has allowed us to be at this point where they have outlined many reasons why they should have at least one seat on the LGC and opens the door for us to engage on the LGC issue and the principles behind their rationale,” he said.

Mr Norton lambasted Mr Mohamed for failing to inform APNU of its decision, leaving it only to read on Demerara Waves Online News on Tuesday that WIN’s Leola Naraine and Leslyn Lowe, and Nicholas Chesney of Forward Guyana were submitted to sit on the LGC.

“This is particularly disappointing given that your office had initiated communication with APNU on this very matter,” the APNU chairman said.

“The clear and reasonable expectation was that, after seeking APNU’s recommendations, you would select at least one of those two names for inclusion among the three nominees submitted to the President,” he added.

But Mr Mohamed said not informing the parties was a “clerical error by the office.”

Expressing disappointment with Mr Mohamed’s handling of the matter, Mr Norton justified the need for APNU to be represented on the LGC.

He identified its parliamentary representation and seats in local government councils.

“APNU holds 12 seats in the National Assembly, compared with 16 seats held by your party and only one seat held by FGM. APNU also has councillors serving in various Municipalities and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils.

“The Local Government Commission is now being constituted and, given that there is no applicable law preventing APNU from being represented, fairness and political proportionality should prevail in the selection of nominees,” he told Mr Mohamed.

Mr Norton, a veteran Guyanese politician, chided the opposition leader for his approach, saying that it shows a lack of opposition unity in confronting the People’s Progressive Party Civic-led government.

“Such a course of action also sends a signal of a fractured opposition, and this in itself undermines our collective ability to effectively hold the government accountable and ensure the quality of governance that the people of Guyana deserve,” he said.

Mr Norton said APNU and WIN’s political differences should not prevent them from recognising the respective support they received from the electorate and the responsibility that places on them “to work together in the interest of the people of Guyana.”