–says any such person must come from the PNCR

RE-ELECTED People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) leader Aubrey Norton has dismissed the idea of Nigel Hughes being a consensus presidential candidate for the PNCR-led A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) at the 2025 General and Regional Elections.

Following Hughes’ selection as the leader of the smaller AFC party, there has been considerable discussion within opposition circles about the possibility of his becoming the coalition’s consensus candidate.

During an appearance on “Politics 101”, hosted by Working Peoples’ Alliance (WPA) member Dr. David Hinds, Hughes responded to the question by stating, “I am open to doing whatever the people of Guyana think is in their best interest in advancing this country. If, in that process, I am identified as the person or one of a group of persons to lead that process, I am open to it.”

However, in a recent interview with veteran broadcaster Bobby Vieira, Norton pointed out that a Motion passed at the party’s recent congress determined that the consensus candidate would be the Leader of the PNCR.

He explained, “When I said I’m open to a consensual candidate, if we have to choose a candidate from the PNC, I have no problem with us having a consensual candidate. For instance, somebody like Carl Greenidge, if we think he is good to run and win, we have no problem with him as the consensual candidate.”

Norton further stated, “I believe that as the largest political party in the coalition, the PNCR is entitled to this role. Which political party, having more than 90 per cent of the opposition’s support, would relinquish its power to one with five or 10 per cent? It makes no sense. So, when I speak of a consensual candidate, I’m referring to a consensual candidate within the People’s National CongressReform.”

He emphasised, “I don’t see us as a political party giving the presidential candidacy to a party that has never received 15 per cent of the votes in this country. What are we saying to our supporters; that we support you, only to bring someone else to lead? That is not a message we can send.”