Holder quits as PNCR chairman

Sep 16, 2025 News

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…as fallout over APNU’s crushing elections defeat deepens

Kaieteur News – The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) has been dealt another blow following the resignation of longstanding member Shurwayne Holder as the party’s chairman.

It is unclear whether he will also resign from the party. Holder, a former Member of Parliament officially stepped down from his position on Monday. In an email addressed to PNCR leader Aubrey Norton, Holder wrote, “I hereby tender my resignation as Chairman of the People’s National Congress Reform with immediate effect. I would like to thank you as Party Leader, the Central Executive Committee, and the membership of the Party for the confidence reposed in me over the years. I wish you and the Party well in your efforts to rebuild and revitalise.”

When contacted by Kaieteur News for comment, Holder declined to go into detail about his reasons for resigning. He stated only that he has no political plans at the moment and intends to focus on his family and personal development. Holder previously served as a PNCR Member of Parliament from 2020 and played a central role in the APNU+AFC campaign, particularly on the Essequibo Coast and across Region Two, where he also served as the lead party representative. However, he was not chosen as one of 12 candidates selected to serve in the 13th Parliament, a decision that appears to have triggered discontent within the party.

On the same day, another member of the PNCR, Robert Maison, also confirmed his resignation. Maison, who has been involved with the party since the era of former leader Desmond Hoyte, currently serves as a Councillor for Constituency Seven (Stabroek-Bourda) at the Georgetown Mayor and City Council and is an executive of the PNCR Georgetown District. Despite resigning from the PNCR, Maison said he will continue in his council role until the end of his term.

Maison, speaking with Kaieteur News on Monday, noted that he followed party protocol in submitting his resignation to Norton, stating, “Based on the structure of the party that I have been a part of since 1997, I resigned accordingly.” He also revealed that his resignation was in protest of how Holder was treated, describing it as “disrespectful” that he (Holder) was excluded from the list of parliamentary candidates.

Maison further expressed frustration over the internal decision-making process, claiming that his name was removed from the PNCR’s national top-up list by Carol Smith Joseph, with Norton’s knowledge. Instead, he was placed only on a regional list, a move he felt undermined his contributions to the party.
These resignations come shortly after another high-profile departure, that of Mervyn Williams, a longstanding executive member of the PNCR. Williams announced his resignation during his weekly Nation Watch program in an interview with newly appointed MP Terrence Campbell. His exit from both the party and its Central Executive Committee reportedly caught leadership and members by surprise.

Despite the wave of resignations and growing discontent within the party ranks, PNCR Leader Aubrey Norton has remained silent. Multiple attempts by Kaieteur News to reach him for comment were unsuccessful.

The departures follow the PNCR-led coalition’s recent announcement of the 12 members who will represent the party in the 13th Parliament over the next five years. Notably, Norton will not be returning to Parliament but will remain as party leader. The parliamentary team will be led by Terrence Campbell and includes returning MPs Coretta McDonald, Ganesh Mahipaul, and Nima Natasha Flue-Bess. Several newcomers will also join the ranks, including political commentator Dr. David Hinds, Riaz Zakeer Rupnarain, Sherod Avery Duncan, Linden Mayor 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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• APNU, PNCR, resigns, Shurwayne Holder

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