Holder resigned as PNCR Chair not from party – father clarifies

Sep 20, 2025 News

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Kaieteur News – Member of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Prince Holder and father of former Chairman Shurwayne Holder, has clarified that his son has not resigned from the party but only from his leadership position as Chairman.

With no leadership responsibilities in the party and not having been selected as an APNU Member of Parliament, in the 13th Parliament, Holder is now seeking job opportunities to support his family. Being out of Parliament, he must focus on employment and can no longer carry the burden of serving as party chairman.

This was revealed by Holder’s father in a Facebook post on Friday, where he defended his son against negative comments surrounding Shurwayne Holder’s decision to step down from his chairmanship. “I have notice that both of you came out bashing my son Shurwayne Holder, former chairman of the PNCR over his resignation as chairman of the party. He did not resign from the party, which means that he is still a member of the People’s National Congress Reform,” senior Holder stated.

He urged the public to stop ‘bashing’ his son, calling their actions reckless and irresponsible, and emphasized that they are unaware of the full reasons behind his resignation.

“Let me bring to your attention, Shurwayne is out of a job at present and have his mortgage to pay which means that he has to find himself a job, so if he is not going to parliament, he has to go out there and work, he is an engineer by profession, he is having double masters degree,” the senior Holder said.

Shurwayne Holder submitted his resignation as Chairman of the party 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.

Additionally, Mervyn Williams, a longstanding executive member of the PNCR also resigned. Williams announced his resignation during his weekly Nation Watch programme in an interview with new Leader of the Opposition Terrence Campbell. His exit from both the party and its Central Executive Committee reportedly caught leadership and members by surprise.

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.

The resignations came 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.

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• PNCR, PNCR Chair, Prince Holder, resigned, Shurwayne Holder

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