Norton rising, roaring

Nov 02, 2025 Features / Columnists, The GHK Lall Column

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Hard Truths by GHK Lall

(Kaieteur News) – Outgoing Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Aubrey Norton, had one of his finer moments recently.  He rose to the occasion, and spoke, not like a politician, but like a man determined that what is wrong must be righted.  I was wrong about him on this issue related to the confirmation of the chancellor of the judiciary and chief justice of Guyana.  I am glad that I was wrong.  If I have to admit publicly that I erred in my assessments of Guyana’s top political leaders, then that would be a happy day for me.  It would mean that they are doing right, standing for what serves the interests of the peoples of this country best.

 “I can say this to you, from the inception with my engagements with President Irfaan Ali, I made it very, very clear, as pellucid as I can, that I was not prepared to support the removal of Justice Cummings, made that very clear. You’re already aware that I am on record as saying I gave consent for the appointment of Justice Cummings and Justice Wiltshire a while back.”

 I don’t think that anyone could have been clearer.  Still, a letter was written to Mr. Norton by Pres. Ali, which sought his approval for the confirmation of Justice George-Wilshire and Justice Navindra Singh to the positions of chancellor and chief justice respectively.  Perhaps, the president didn’t hear the Opposition Leader’s words clearly; or, it could be that he didn’t give them too much value.  Or, he forgot, given his packed days and itineraries.

While I commend Mr. Norton for his principled stand on those appointments, I am prompted also to share something else in the public domain.  It is what introduces a sense of openmouthed awe at the comprehensive nature of the conniving that goes into the schemes of the PPP Government.  Plus, the timing of them.  The sequence following should provide proofs.  (Just like the developments cloaking the Mohameds, on which more will follow soon).

Aubrey Norton made his position very clear from the beginning.  For emphasis, he stated and restated what he was “very clear” about.  No Justice Cummings gracing the senior judiciary picture, no agreeing to confirmation.  Even a dumbo like me understands that posture, and the irreversibility of its finality.  But Justice Cummings is cleverly put out to pasture.  I think one of the binding conditions of her package is that she is prevented from writing her memoirs to lay bare all the shenanigans surrounding her jarring, premature, and forced departure.  That was step one in the cunning of the PPP leadership planning.  The eagle-eyed and clear-headed would be quick to spot that I blanketed the years that went before Norton’s arrival as Opposition Leader and the spinning, unending, careening carousel that featured so much in those two most senior posts in Guyana’s judiciary existing in a state of disgrace.  I shouldn’t have to inform any Guyanese of that ignominious word -acting.  If the CCJ knew and weighed-in with its objections, then all Guyanese should know and have their say also.

Step two in this sequence came in the blinding and breathtaking arrival (more like ascension and anointing) of the Hon. Justice Navindra Singh for the position of Guyana’s chief justice.  And, with the added coronation of the shortest acting tenure in Guyana’s history.  Congratulations, your Honor.  Justice Singh not only jumped heads, his push to the top is the equivalent of him jumping over the moon.  Talk about premeditating and planning, and there they were in blazing Technicolor.  All that was left was for Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton, to go along to get along.  Would he, or wouldn’t he, that was what swirled in Guyanese minds.  Apparently, his preference is to get out of that judicial crab dance, by washing his hands clean of that latest example of grand subterfuge from the PPP Government.  Most admiringly, I must say that the boiler room that represents the collective mind, some would say distorted genius, of the PPP was very clearly (to steal Mr. Norton’s words) working overtime, and for the unholiest outcome imaginable.  Does all this incorporate the best of scheming, or what!  I like a work of art, no matter how overly smart it is.

The last part in the sequence of this scheming was that Excellency Ali jetted off to the snowfields of Riyadh.  He thought that the PPP had Aubrey Norton by the, ahm, belly button.  Damned if he says yes to confirmation (by his own people and future history [if possible]); and damned if he says no, with all manner of PPP dirt on his head for reward.  Still, Norton stood tall, stood straight, stood resolute.  No to confirmation without Yonette.  Apologies for taking the liberty, Madam Justice Edwards-Cummings.  In his leaving, Norton showed he still has standing.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

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• GHK Lall, hard truths, Norton, Rising, roaring

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