Mervyn Williams quits PNCR

Sep 15, 2025 News

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…says post-elections circumstances triggered decision

Kaieteur News – Longstanding Executive Member of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), Mervyn Williams, has announced his resignation from the party, in a move that has taken both the leadership and the wider membership by surprise.

The announcement was made during his weekly live programme, Nation Watch, in an interview with businessman and newly appointed Member of Parliament, Terrence Campbell. At the end of the broadcast, Williams made the unexpected revelation, marking the end of his tenure on the party’s Central Executive Committee and also the party.

Williams served a Member of Parliament for the PNC in the 9^th Parliament and also eight months in the 11^th Parliament following the resignation of several dual citizenship MPs of the then APNU+AFC coalition. He was not returned as an MP when the coalition lost the 2020 elections and many felt that he was overlooked for others who did not have his skills and political experience.

In his address, Williams stated, “I’ve had a good run and, with a heavy heart, I announce my resignation from the Central Executive Committee of the People’s National Congress Reform. I extend sincere gratitude to the delegates of the last Biennial Congress who voted overwhelmingly for me. Of the 15 people elected to serve on that committee I thank my colleagues at the level of the Executive Committee and the leader himself for the opportunity to serve, particularly here on Nation Watch, where I believe I was able to make a small contribution to my party and to the efforts that we have collectively been making over the years.”

Williams explained that while the decision had been difficult, it was one he had been contemplating even before the September 1 General and Regional Elections. Although he did not state a specific reason for his resignation, he hinted at certain events that influenced his departure. “It was one I contemplated even before September 1, but my duty, commitment, and loyalty to the party did not allow me to do that and I held my hand and there were unfortunate occurrences after September 1 that, in fact, one of those two occurrences pre-date September 1, but came to my attention after. I have in regard to those sets of circumstances and recognising the need for the party to  go through its rebuilding process, I’ve had a good run and I thank every member of this party,  every supporter of this party,” Williams stated.

Expressing his gratitude to supporters, Williams added, “I experienced only love from you, warm affection, tremendous support, and I thank you all for the years that you stood by me, to those who mentored me, to all the past leaders of the party and all past executive committees of the party. My sincere gratitude to you, but we have come to this junction, the road where I must say goodbye.”

Despite his resignation, Williams emphasised that he will continue to advocate for Indigenous communities and social justice. “I will continue to lift my voice for a better quality of life, for justice, fairness, and equality for all Guyanese, until the day of my last breath.”

According to sources within the party who spoke with Kaieteur News, Party Leader Aubrey Norton was unaware of Williams’ decision prior to the broadcast. The resignation reportedly came as a complete shock to party leadership. Efforts to contact Norton for a comment proved unsuccessful.

Williams’ departure follows the recent announcement by the PNCR-led coalition of the 12 individuals who will represent the party in the 13th Parliament over the next five years. Notably, Norton will not return to Parliament but will remain as party leader, while Terrence Campbell will lead the parliamentary team. The list of MPs includes returning members Coretta McDonald, Ganesh Mahipaul, and Nima Natasha Flue-Bess. They will be joined by several new faces, including political commentator Dr. David Hinds, Riaz Zakeer Rupnarain, Sherod Avery Duncan, Linden Mayor and former Regional Chairman Sharma Raheem Solomon, attorney and peace ambassador Dr. Dexter Todd, gospel artiste and entrepreneur Saiku Andrews, and PNCR Vice-Chairman Vinceroy H. Jordan, who represents Region Five.

This announcement comes on the heels of the PNCR and its coalition APNU’s disappointing performance in the September 1 elections. The newly formed We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party, led by businessman Azruddin Mohamed, secured 16 parliamentary seats, pushing APNU to third place. The ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), led by President Irfaan Ali, won 36 seats, securing Ali a second term in office. As Norton continues to grapple with the fallout from the party’s electoral defeat, he now faces the unexpected resignation of one of the PNCR’s most longstanding members.

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• Mervyn Williams, PNCR, resigns, Terrence Campbell

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