Tag: resignation

Absence of visionary leadership, racism push Figuera resignation from PNCR

Posted on by Kayleigh Carter

Former People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) executive Jermaine Figuera has cited a deep erosion of the party’s ideals of national unity, a decline in ethics and honour, the absence of visionary leadership, and a failure to uphold national duty as the principal reasons for his resignation.

In a statement, Figuera said the leadership of the PNCR has, in recent times, exhibited a troubling tolerance for rising ethnic antagonism. In its alignment with elements espousing divisive ethno-political rhetoric, which corrodes the pluralistic foundation of our society, the party has deviated from the tenets of inclusive nationalism.

“What was once a platform for unifying vision now flirts perilously with sectarian dogma. This is not the movement I joined. The responsibility to defend and promote national unity is absolute; its abdication is a moral failure,” he said.

The former PNCR executive said the internal culture of the PNCR has deteriorated from principled deliberation to an insular climate defined by sycophancy, vindictiveness, and the systematic sidelining of faithful contributors.

“I have personally experienced arbitrary exclusion, and I have witnessed the unjust treatment of long-serving stalwarts such as the late Comrade Amna Ally, even with her passing. This is no longer a party anchored in discipline and dignity, it is a structure in retreat from ethical stewardship and true comradery,” he decried.

Once a vanguard of transformative ideas and generational leadership, the PNCR, Figuera said, today suffers from intellectual inertia and political pettiness, pointing out that it lacks imagination, unity of purpose, and renewal mechanisms necessary to respond to a rapidly evolving national context.

Figuera, who is well-known in Linden, said in an era that demands bold thinking and courageous leadership, the PNCR has become introspective and reactive rather than visionary and proactive.

He criticised the PNCR walkout in the National Assembly at a time when Venezuela renewed its claims to Guyana’s territorial sovereignty.

“To have walked out of Parliament, when our country required a unanimous reaffirmation of its sovereignty, was not only a dereliction of parliamentary responsibility, it was a betrayal of the very ethos upon which the party was founded. Leadership must be rooted in love of country, above all else. Let it be unambiguously understood: my resignation is a matter of principle. I cannot, in good conscience, lend legitimacy to a course of action that veers Guyana away from truth, justice, unity, and the national interest,” he stated.

Timothy Jonas and Ralph Ramkarran resign from ANUG

Posted on by Kayleigh Carter

Two founding members of A New and United Guyana (ANUG), Senior Counsel Timothy Munro Jonas and Ralph Ramkarran, have resigned from the party with immediate effect.

“This serves to inform that today I resigned as a member of A New and United Guyana,” Jonas announced in a Facebook post.

Just minutes earlier, Ramkarran also made his position known in a message.

“Good morning, Mark. As you know, I have not been active in ANUG for about five years now and have paid no membership dues. I am therefore unclear about my status. In the event I am still on the books as a member, I hereby formally tender my resignation,” he said.

The resignations came shortly after ANUG, under the leadership of Mark Defrance, announced a partnership with Azruddin Mohamed’s We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) ahead of the 2025 general elections.

Azruddin and his father, Nazar “Shell” Mohamed, have been sanctioned by the US government for tax evasion and gold smuggling.

Notably, the alliance was formalised under the WIN banner, with an agreement signed on 28 June at WIN’s headquarters in Georgetown by WIN leader Azruddin and ANUG’s Mark Defrance. Defrance had previously stated that ANUG would not accept money from the Mohameds, and Mohamed had said he would not join forces with any political party.

News of the agreement came just a day after Azruddin’s uncles, Mohamed Haseeb Yusuf and Mohamed Yusuf, issued public statements endorsing President Irfaan Ali for a second term in office and urging voters to ignore their nephew.

Both men argued that Azruddin is inexperienced and unfit for political leadership, with Mohamed Yusuf referring to him as a “social media freak” and a “narcissist”.

Azruddin has not yet responded to their criticisms.

Despite the controversy, both ANUG and WIN stated that their alliance aims to offer voters an alternative platform focused on governance reform, national development, and inclusivity. The parties added that they hope the partnership will broaden their reach and influence ahead of the upcoming polls.