–PNCR’s Figueira says, describes Norton’s removal of him as an act of self-destruction

DESPITE being stripped of his portfolio as the chairman of the Peoples National Congress/ Reform (PNCR) arm in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice), Jermaine Figueira is adamant that he will remain an unapologetic and unrepentant servant to the people.
At the weekend, the PNCR leader, Aubrey Norton, replaced Figueira, a senior member of the party with an interim committee to lead the party’s region ten arm. Earlier this year, Figueira was stripped of his portfolio as Shadow Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport; Nima Flue-Bess replaced him.
Figueira, during an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, stated that while the leader of the party reserves the right to make decisions that he sees fitting and beneficial to the party, his most recent actions can be viewed as implosive.
“It is up to the membership and supporters to determine if those changes are being made in good faith to propel the party into national government or as part of narrowminded, petty and vindictive schemes against key party players with differential perspectives that drive the leader and his management philosophy,” Figueira said.

He added too, that any ‘Irrational moves and sidelining’ of a party stalwart, especially the youths, are myopic.
“Yanking me from regional leadership while I’m engaged consistently in the most impactful grassroots initiative that keeps our constituents engaged and hopeful with meaningful reassurances that ‘we’ve got your back, and we are here helping you to hold strain while we are in opposition’, is simply an act of implosive self-destruction born out of benign insularity.”

According to Figueira, he has received the leader’s decisions as ‘personal enlightenment’ rather than attack, as he intends on remaining an “unapologetic and unrepentant” servant of the people.
The longstanding PNCR politician noted that he would continue to act accordingly, regardless of the moves taken by the leader.
Figueira, however, skirted around the question on whether he foresees a political future with the PNCR.

“I still have so much more to offer in service to the people of our country and I’m confident that my value proposition will find a suitable place and benefit from deployment on the people’s behalf, one way or the other should the party leader continue to curtail my usefulness within the PNCR.”
In a written correspondence to this publication, a senior member of the PNCR expressed concern over Figueira’s removal from a senior position, emphasising a widening division that may have long-term consequences for both the party and Figueira’s political trajectory.
The letter stated, The PNCR leader, Aubrey Norton, claimed that Figueira was more focused on “social work” rather than political mobilisation.

According to the letter, Norton posited that the main duty of a party leader in a strategically important region is different from Figueira’s perspective, who sees political work as social work.
However, Figueira who is known for his strong support base in Region 10, said: “The evidence of what I’ve been doing in the nooks and crannies of Linden and region ten are there for all to see, I’ve been delivering consistent strategic grassroots work beyond the rhetoric of partisan politics, while concomitantly serving in the most complex national theatres of governance.”

Norton’s leadership of the party has been heavily criticised both internally and externally from the inception of his tenure.
Norton’s leadership of the party has been heavily criticised both internally and externally from the inception of his tenure.  His most recent moves to remove a young Figueira from several posts further highlights internal conflict and disunity.
The level of scrutiny surrounding Norton’s leadership has intensified following the party’s congress in June. Before the party’s election, Norton had been confronted with a substantial number of allegations pertaining to various violations.