Earlier today, Senior Counsel and Member of Parliament Roysdale Forde announced his bid to lead the People’s National Congress Islahat (PNCR).
The Party’s Biennial Delegates Conference which was constitutionally due in December 2023 should be held on or before August 31 this year according to Party Leader Aubrey Norton.
The PNC, which was founded in 1957 has been led by its Founder Leader Forbes Burnham O.E, S.C (1957-1985); Desmond Hoyte S.C (1985-2002); Robert Corbin (2002-2011); Ret’d Brigadier David Granger (2011-2020) and incumbent Aubrey Norton (2021 -present).
Forde’s announcement statement follows:
PRESS STATEMENT BY ROYSDALE FORDE S.C, M.P ANNOUNCING HIS INTENTION TO RUN FOR THE POSITION OF LEADER AT THE 22nd PNC BIENNIAL DELEGATES CONGRESS 2024
MARCH 28th 2024
Ladies and gentlemen of the media, esteemed members of our party the People’s National Congress Islahat, fellow citizens watching us live or watching a rebroadcast thank you for joining me.
The focus of this press conference today is the upcoming PNCR Biennial Delegates Congress. At present we stand on the cusp of a pivotal moment in our party’s and the nation’s history. The actions we take and decisions we make over the next few months should not be taken lightly, and it is for this reason that I am here today.
I stand before you with a great sense of purpose & resoluteness; purpose to be part of a much needed process of change and a resoluteness to work tirelessly with every member of the PNCR to make that a reality.
The PNC’s party constitution Article 15 section (1) states that “The supreme authority of the Party shall be the Biennial Delegates Congress, which shall be held at such time and place every two (2) years as the General Council or the Central Executive Committee may decide. For the avoidance of doubt, the supremacy of the Congress means that the Congress has the right to review or to order a review of any decision taken by any other forum, organ or committee of the Party.”
Article 15 Section 4 further states that “The Biennial Delegates Congress shall elect the Party Leader, Chairman, Vice Chairman and fifteen (15) other members, who shall become the elected members of the Central Executive Committee.
These articles of our party’s Constitution indicate that our Biennial Delegates Congress is due and it was stated publicly by the current leader (Aubrey Norton) that this congress is slated to be held on or before August 31, 2024. It is on these bases that I hereby announce that I am making myself available for nomination to contest for the position of leader of the People’s National Congress Islahat when Congress is officially announced.
The reality is that we have a short time between Congress and the National and Regional Elections which is due in 2025 and we must as a party, and then as a coalition start the process now to regain the Presidency of this dear land of ours in 2025.
I have travelled to many communities across Guyana and met with party comrades and supporters of the coalition who are demanding an approach that not only holds the People’s Progressive Party accountable but also an approach that imbues hope in the hearts and minds of Guyanese throughout the length and breadth of Guyana. An approach that shows unity, strength, collectivism, integrity and patriotism as we work together to build our strong future together.
To build this future we must Regroup, Refocus and Rebuild.
REGROUP
Regrouping is a crucial aspect of our party’s political endeavor not just as a political strategy, but as a testament to our collective strength and resilience as a party.
The PNCR has a rich history and a diverse array of perspectives that make us strong. It is therefore critical that we come together, to regroup and realign our efforts in pursuit of our shared values and goals for the betterment of the people.
Unity within our party should not just be a mere aspiration, but must be seen as a fundamental necessity for the PNCR to achieve meaningful progress and enact positive change, not for ourselves but for the people of this nation that we serve.
In regrouping we must bridge divides, build consensus and harness the strength of our unity to amplify our impact as we forge a path forward that prioritizes the wellbeing and prosperity of all Guyanese. So it is important that we regroup not as factions or individuals, but as a united force, not just to present a unified front, but to be the united front that addresses the very issues that affect the livelihood of the people of this nation.
REFOCUS
It’s no secret that political parties face a myriad of challenges both internally and externally. And our party is not exempted from challenges. However, it is during challenging times and moments of uncertainty that we must refocus our energies and realign our priorities.
Refocusing for us means recommitting ourselves to the core values and principles that bind and keep us together. It means putting one’s personal agenda and ego aside for the greater good of the party and the people of our nation. It means constantly engaging in constructive dialogue, actively listening to diverse perspectives, and always finding common ground to move forward.
Refocusing cannot occur in isolation, hence why regrouping is necessary. As we refocus internally we must also refocus our attention on the issues that matter most to the Guyanese people –the high cost of living, better healthcare, education, economic opportunities for all, a clean voters list and there is much more that can be added to this list. We must refocus our strategies to effectively address these pressing issues and deliver real, tangible solutions that improve the lives of our fellow Guyanese.
It is imperative that we refocus on what unites us, rather than what separates us, as a party and as a nation.
REBUILD
Having set the course of regrouping & refocusing it is abundantly clear that we must make a collective effort to rebuild our party. The challenges at times may seem significant, and the road ahead may be fraught with obstacles, but I believe that through commitment, unity and dedication, the PNCR can emerge stronger than ever before.
Rebuilding requires us to confront the many beliefs, attitudes, egos and fractures that threaten to weaken our collective resolve. It demands a strong commitment to inclusivity, to embracing diversity of thought and perspective, and to fostering an environment where every voice is heard, appreciated and valued.
In rebuilding we must rededicate ourselves to the principles that have always been the bedrock of our party, the principles of fairness, equity, equality, and justice for all. We must roll up our sleeves and get to work in rebuilding trust and confidence among our members and supporters, engaging those communities that feel marginalised or forgotten.
We must embark on this journey of rebuilding with courage and determination, standing on the shoulders of those who have laid the foundation for us to build to deeper depths and higher heights. We must rise above the fray of petty and lawless politics and chart a course towards a brighter, more inclusive future for our party and all Guyanese. Together, we can rebuild the Mighty PNCR and our nation, brick by brick, until we stand tall as a permanent beacon of hope and possibility from generation to generation.
I call on our members and supporters to come on this journey with me, to regroup, refocus and rebuild as we work to make our party stronger than ever. Join me as we work together to Unite the PNC and Rally the Coalition to Victory in 2025.