– other candidates mum
Several of the candidates nominated for Leader of the PNCR remain tight-lipped as to whether they intend to contest for the post at the party’s upcoming Biennial Congress, even as the party’s deadline for them to officially accept their nomination draws closer.
On Friday, General Secretary of the Party Oscar Clarke announced that six persons had been nominated for the position of Leader. These were Dr Aubrey Armstrong, Robert Corbin, Winston Murray, Aubrey Norton, Dr Richard Van West-Charles and Basil Williams. Clarke disclosed that Corbin had received the most nominations (162) followed by Dr Van West-Charles with (21). Clarke disclosed that both Armstrong and Murray had been nominated by (5) organs while Williams had received one nomination.
Clarke said that these persons have up to tomorrow to officially indicate their acceptance of these nominations.
The 16th Biennial Delegates Congress is scheduled to run from August 21 to 22.
Van West Charles, who has openly spoken about his interest in running for the party’s top post, told this newspaper that he had already indicated his acceptance of the nomination. When asked whether he had any concerns about the number of candidates that had been nominated, he said that he had no concerns since this was all part of the democratic system and described this as something that was “healthy”. He said his main concern is about the electoral process since this needed to be one that was free and fair.
Corbin, the incumbent, when contacted, said he has not accepted the nomination as yet adding that he was not preoccupied with that at the moment. He told this newspaper that right now his energies are focused on dealing with the fight against the Jagdeo-led administration and its “excessiveness”. He said that at the appropriate time, the announcement of the candidates competing for the party’s leadership will be made.
Murray, the former PNCR chairman who resigned from his post last year owing to the party’s public departure from a position he took on the EPA, is said to be considering running for party leader. Stabroek News understands that Murray is yet to indicate his acceptance of the nomination but a source said that he is seriously considering doing so. Murray has declined similar nominations in the past but his reported concern over the direction in which the party is heading, may lead to him breaking from this tradition.
Meanwhile, Norton and Williams have both declined to comment on whether they will accept their nominations. Norton said he was aware that he had been nominated for the position of leader but he had not responded.
Williams, on the other hand, said that he could not speak on the matter and directed this newspaper to the General Secretary of the party. Williams, however, is seen as a strong candidate for position of the party’s chairman, where he received 98 nominations, the most received by any of the 16 nominees for that post.
The other candidate Armstrong, Stabroek News was informed, is expected in the country today. Armstrong, in previous interviews with this newspaper, had not ruled out the possibility of contesting for the party’s leadership.
