Norton confident “diverse” APNU slate will win upcoming elections

Jul 15, 2025 News

Presidential candidate Aubrey Norton speaking with reporters

Kaieteur News – Presidential candidate for A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Aubrey Norton, has expressed strong confidence that his party’s diverse and inclusive list of candidates will lead them to victory in the upcoming elections.

APNU’s Vice Presidential candidate, Ganesh Mahipaul

Speaking after submitting the party’s nominations on Monday, Norton emphasised that the APNU slate represents a balanced mix of youth, professionals, experienced individuals, and grassroots representatives.

Norton, accompanied by candidates and supporters, marched from Lamaha and Main Streets to the Umana Yana in Kingston, where they officially submitted their nomination list to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). Following the submission, Norton told reporters that the APNU list features a “balanced mixture” of candidates. When asked about the number of young people on the candidate list, Norton said that around 60 per cent of APNU’s nominees are under the age of 40. “It depends on how you define young, so if you are talking 40 and under, it will be more than 60 per cent of our list,” he said.

Highlighting some of the names on the list, Norton noted the inclusion of aspiring lawyer Eden Corbin, attorney Dexter Todd, Dr. Paul Williams, Dr. John Anderson, attorney Vanessa Thomas, businessman Saiku Andrews, and Terrence Campbell. “We have what I would call a well-balanced list, it has some grassroots people as well, because we believe there is a need to be in touch with the average person as well. You have the professional persons, you have political experience, you have youth and it is our sincere hope that this combination of people allows us to run the nation attentively,” he said.

Meanwhile, Norton dismissed concerns over recent departures from the party, asserting that APNU remains strong and focused. “Our supporters, know politics, understand politics, our supporters know we have been in the field from 2021, coming right down. So, we were in touch and we are well aware that our supporters are energised. Why people may talk about who left we are looking forward and we have a strong team.” He further added, “I don’t have the time for that. why would I have organised my party and galvanised support? So why would I want to get into some analysis of who would have left? It’s their democratic right.”

Reporters also questioned Norton about the readiness of prime ministerial candidate Juretta Fernandes, a former member of the AFC. When asked whether he believed she was prepared for such a significant role, Norton responded, “If Irfaan Ali can be president, then anyone else could be. The evidence is clear. I don’t need to speak for her. You see Jagdeo always speaks for Irfaan. She goes out on her own, she’s well qualified, and none of her qualifications are in question. I don’t see why she should be.”

Meanwhile, APNU’s vice presidential candidate, Ganesh Mahipaul, echoed Norton’s confidence in the diverse team. He highlighted plans to address key social issues, especially among youth. “So, one of the programmes we will be having in place is to put the social workers in every secondary school to interact, to deal with children, to grow them in a certain way, so that they become better. What that does, the trickling effect of that will require more social workers going to the University of Guyana to be trained. It will require more investment into young people, especially for them to go into that field of study,” Mahipaul explained.

Speaking on the issue of oil resources, Mahipaul stated that APNU’s diverse team plans to engage ExxonMobil in discussions aimed at securing higher royalties for the benefit of the Guyanese people. “It will call for us to have interaction. It will call for dialogue. It will call for us to examine the contract in its current existing format. It will call for engagement with the oil company and so on. I support us getting maximum benefit from our oil resource. We are entitled to it. It is ours, and we have to benefit from it. So, I know that our government, the APNU and new government, when we get into office, I know that our focus will be to engage in an effort to get more for the Guyanese people,” he said.

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APNU, Aubrey Norton, Elections campaign, Ganesh Mahipaul

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