PNCR leader Robert Corbin has threatened party executive Aubrey Norton with a libel suit over accusations made about the controversial Georgetown District Confer-ence voting last Sunday.
Aubrey Norton
Norton, who has said the process that saw him voted out of the Georgetown District Chairmanship was fraudulent, received a letter from Corbin alleging that he had libelled him in comments made to the Stabroek News. “Unless I read a public retraction and receive an apology from you, I will instruct my attorneys to seek redress in the Courts,” Corbin wrote to Norton, in the letter dated July 1, 2009.
But Norton yesterday told Stabroek News that he had not said anything “libellous” and is “not apologising.” Further, he added that if Corbin proceeded with the suit, he would see him in court.
Norton has said that the voting process that saw him losing the chairmanship of the Georgetown District to party co-chair Volda Lawrence-who was widely believed to be backed by Corbin-was fraudulent. He lost the vote, 96 to 220.
Corbin, however, has maintained that the vote was transparent, saying while three complaints were lodged with the returning officer and would be investigated they had noting to do with a discrepancy in the vote.
Moreover, saying that he was present for the voting process and would be “aware if any fraudulent activities occurred,” Corbin asserted that the vote was transparent. He also said the party is willing to investigate any claims of fraud should a formal complaint be made. Commenting briefly on the process itself, he stated that the representatives from both sides accompanied the ballots to have them counted. With respect to the results, he said that there was no word of any dissent from Norton and his supporters.
According to Norton, he had complained about the process before Sunday, as he saw blatant cases of padding of the voters’ list. He also said that 300 delegates were not present on voting day and as such it was surprising that the tally of votes reflected that more than 300 persons voted.
Stabroek News was present at Congress Place when chaos erupted as delegates shouted at each other, charging that some persons were receiving more ballots than others, while others were not receiving any.
Returning Officer Robert Williams was heard calling on persons to return the extra ballot papers after the distribution to the delegates. And Norton said he had cause to complain about the Brickdam group, which Lawrence and others said had a hundred members when he knew it had just about 30. He charged that other groups were created so as to pad the voters’ list.
Many persons, including Norton, stormed out of the party’s headquarters long before the voting was completed. “Everybody saw that the process was fraudulent,” Norton said, adding that there was no roll call before the votes were cast and as such there was no way of knowing how many delegates were present.
He charged that persons supportive of Lawrence were given more than one ballot and also questioned why more ballot papers than delegates were printed.
The Georgetown District sends the most delegates to the congress of the party and Sunday’s outcome is believed to be pivotal to Corbin retaining his post at the party’s upcoming biennial congress in August. Lawrence is seen as a Corbin ally and someone who could promote his candidacy.
Sources say had Norton won he would have been in a better position to mount a leadership challenge. The last congress had already seen an acrimonious parting between the Corbin faction and Team Alexander – led by Vincent Alexander – and culminated in the recall of James McAllister from Parliament.
Dem boys in Robb Street must be having blast !!
Not only dem boys in Robb Street, but Vincent Alexander and James McAllister, too! Dis one too funny fuh Robb Street alone! Ah wonda wha Dr. Van West Charles doin right now? He mussie laffin he head off, too, as he preps for the August showdown!
And guess what? Crawbin and Naughton both hail from Wismar in Linden – Crawbin went to Mckenzie High School and Naughton went to Kara Kara High School – and so if dem two homies couldn’t mek it together, who else is dere to wuk wid Crawbin!
But if Naughton ent larn he lesson by now, when will he eva larn? Hoyte mek he General Secretary den when he thought he was ready to fly, Hoyte cut he wings. Den he and Alexander started mekking joint appearences pon TV, only to turn aroun and dump Alexander when Alexander and Crawbin went head to head over party leader position. I guess Crabin realize Naughton is an opportunist jus like he so he baited him and used him until dere was no longer need for him.
Politricks is a tricky game to play; sometimes you lose more than you win.
Andy ! What a way, Aubrey Norton out their shut tail. Back in the day he Aubrey was a good somebody but for some strange reason the boy change.
The PNC dying a death
King Corbin has become a cartoon character.
If this was not a serious reminder of the dark past from whence Guyanese ran, and if the PPP’s deeds had not caught up with Burnham/Corbin’s PNC, I would be laughing my face off…
Is this the PNC that wishes to defeat the PPP.
Dem same PNC and UF Boys did it in 1964; and, they will do it again in 2011!
Remember “Now, “All Your (PNC Membership) Base Are Belong To US”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksFqjI3gyAo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9oh3gqOEKU
Go PNC!
“All Were Given Liberty By The Might Of PNC”!
International Business-Baby-International Business…!
“Jobs-Baby-Jobs”!
Can They Do It – Yes They Can!
No, this is the PPP that wants shared governance with the PPP! Boy, Guyana done!
Go PNC!
Keep on Rigging til You win someday in 21st century…sounds like a campaign song…eheeheeeheee
Re: “Go PNC!
Keep on Rigging til You win someday in 21st century…sounds like a campaign song…eheeheeeheee…”
Ya missing de “Campaign Slogans” or wuh “RodRick”
To repeat dem…
“International Business-Baby-International Business…!
“Jobs-Baby-Jobs”! “Drill-Baby-Drill”!
1. The construction of the L. F. S. Burnham International Airport.
2. The re-nationalization of the bauxite industries in Guyana.
3. Bringing back of the Guyana Cooperative Agricultural and Industrial Development Bank (GAIBANK, GNCB Trust, Guyana Airways Corporation (GAC)…. the bringing back and funding (like was provided for the banks in the United States of America) for Globe Trust….
4. A new and bigger Luckhoo Swimming Pool.
5. Petroleum exploration and production.
6. Cement and Aluminum Production.
and, the list continues!
“Can (We) They Do It – Yes They (We) Can!”
My humble opinion is that Aubrey has delegitimize his legitimacy when in tacit silence or open denial he refuted these same allegations made by other high ranking members of the party. I firmly believe it would be wise for him to leave for Corbin is not interested in the party future but his. He is in bed with the PPPC government and that would not change in the near future. As a matter of fact Corbin will use anyone near him to preserve this status quo.
If Corbin “is in bed with the PPPC government” (turning a blind eye to illegal narcotics out of Guyana with no major arrests over the years) then he will be toast – Ask the U. S. Fourth Fleet.
Re: “U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command
u.s. fourth fleet”
http://www.cusns.navy.mil/command%20info.htm
Strange Bedfellows.
The weak Leader of the Opposition will do anything to cling on to the little power he has, while is supporters continue to wither away. What vision has he brought to that party, what motivation he can instill into the youths of Guyana? It is not like Norton is any better. The only leader that can take the PNC anywhere is Winston Murray but unholy machinations are being used to slowly sideline him.
This is a situation where a leader is only interested in self preservation at the expense of the people.
SS i gat bad news fuh yuh…nat even murry and you could take pnc anywhere…it is where it is and dats where it will remain…
Yes Sase ! Winston Murray, because he looks like you. As for Mr. Norton , he is just pathetic. Just apologise if ‘ I have caused any harm to your character’ (wink.. wink) and move on. Instead, he wants to have a court date. Poor judgement for a politician and aspiring national leader. Ewwwwwww. !
Hold firm Aubrey. De thing de rig. I was there and i saw. I will go down fighting with you.
dont go down fighting wid aubrey you wasting time.
PHENC and PPP is one and the same, dat ting is a dead duck
bs phenc and afee-cee is the same,eh eh eh eh, they are fighting a loosing battle, the ballot b. is already filled.
Don’t wast your time going down fighting for
Northon Aubrey he dont worth it anymore, this guy
talk’s too much Paul.
Freespeech as a tell you already, jagdeo paid for corbin 30 million dollar gall bladder. Nobody in the AFC aint gettin that kind of treatment from your ppp and the PPP and Jagdeo dividing up the scrutineers money amongst themselves even though the court said they must share with the AFC.
So you can holler all the nonsense you want, Guyanese are much smarter than you and jagdeo assume and give them credit for.
Well if the PNC can’t hold a fair and honest election among themselves it really speak volumes of the nature and maturity of the party…
I just hope black people, just like the Indians, stop this nonsensical voting along racial lines and learn how to be independent thinkers and vote for results and who is best fit to honestly and sincerely put the country and its people first.
Neither the PPP not the PNC gives a damn about the people of the country!
i secand that zaphur.i wish my ppl cant think for them self and the better of our country.
In favour.
i third that zaphur
Re: “Neither the PPP not the PNC gives a damn about the people of the country!”
The late L. F. S. Burnham led PNC Government cared about Guyana; and, that’s why they had the controls of the bauxite industries in Guyana in the hands of Guyanese. Do you need to be a rocket scientist; or, do you need an observatory to determine in whose hands these controls are now in – duh!
Kaieteur,
You bolg like a “Rocket Scientist” to sugar coat the PNC and Burnham. Give its a rest bro…This political party and Burnham did nothing for Guyana except driving it into the ground while other, neighboring, Caribbean nations progressed.
I third that Zaphur, PPP and PHENC is one and the same and they could care less about the ppl it is all to save their own hides.
Just tek a look at how the PPP collaborates with the PHENC to keep all other parties out of the mix.
it doesn’t matter who is better. it matter who is honest and true guyanese. it does not matter who own the company. what’s matter is the company making money. paying it’s employee and taxes. peace
Well said..
Re: “You bolg like a “Rocket Scientist” to sugar coat the PNC and Burnham. Give its a rest bro…This political party and Burnham did nothing for Guyana except driving it into the ground while other, neighboring, Caribbean nations progressed….”
Ya have it all wrong “RodRick”. First of all – really good scientists are not made…. they are born. How soon ya forget the “Brother” that was born in Bethlehem; and, if ya think that “This political party and Burnham did nothing for Guyana except driving it into the ground…” then find out from President Jagdeo and the rest ah dem Guyanese scholars dat have dem PHD’s behind deh names.
Besides, there is one thing when you are a ““Rocket Scientist”; and, another when you are trying to make “Rocket Scientists” better ““Rocket Scientists”; therefore, as a good teacher ya don’t give up on ya “failing (PNC Members) students”. So, ya show dem how fe study and pass de 2011 election examination easily.
hahhahaha Corbin is now pulling a jagdeo move, sue the person who accuse you of wrong doing for libel.
Oh the PPP and the PHENC are amazing in their tactics.
For some people, in Guyana politics is everything……that’s why we’re still at the starting line.
Development moves at a snail’s pace pulling its overloaded cart!
Go on Corbin , take Norton to court and open up this can of worms.Hope Norton does not back down. Corbin should be ashamed of himself and resign.
This is uncalled for, for Aubrey running to the press as soon as he receives a letter from the Leader of the PNCR. This could have dealt with within the Party. Aubrey should tell the papers that how he told of a comrade on the street. Is this how Leaders behave.
whoa,this is getting nasty and funny at the same time.
MO FIYA SLOW FIYA!!!!SlOW FIYA MO FIYA!!!…eheeeheheheee.