Vice-President and General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, has called out Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton for what he described as “hypocrisy” and misleading remarks regarding alleged “wage disparity” in the public sector.
Norton recently criticised the government by comparing the salaries of high-ranking officials, such as President Dr. Irfaan Ali, to those of junior public sector employees. In response to these claims, Dr. Jagdeo revealed that Norton’s own earnings, including allowances, amount to 1.8 million Guyana dollars per month.
“He earns $1.8 million now for doing practically nothing,” Dr Jagdeo remarked, pointing out that this figure does not include Norton’s annual vacation allowance or other additional payments. Furthermore, the PPP General Secretary highlighted that Norton’s office is allocated a budget worth tens of millions of dollars annually.
Dr Jagdeo also used the opportunity to highlight the former APNU+AFC government’s “arrogance” and poor record on public sector remuneration. He recalled that after assuming office in 2015, the coalition government criticized public servants’ salaries as excessive, only to grant themselves a 50 percent pay raise that same year. Meanwhile, public servants received a mere five percent increase.
“Let me refresh people’s minds. They’re trying to rewrite history and whitewash their sordid track record,” Dr Jagdeo said, accusing the APNU+AFC of distorting facts about their tenure.
Dr Jagdeo has frequently highlighted instances of malpractice and legal violations during the coalition government’s term from 2015 to 2020. He described that period as the most corrupt in Guyana’s history: “Despite their lofty promises and claims of being clean and transparent, the APNU+AFC’s time in office was riddled with corruption.”
By contrasting the PPP government’s current efforts with the coalition’s record, Dr Jagdeo emphasized the importance of holding political leaders accountable for their actions and rhetoric.
The People’s National Congress (PNC) is in turmoil as Aubrey Norton and Nigel Hughes engage in a bitter power struggle for the Afro-Guyanese vote. This internal conflict has exposed the deep divisions within the party, with Norton desperately attempting to divert attention from their problems by making baseless accusations against the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and its leadership, including President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali. Instead of addressing the pressing issues within their ranks, Norton and Hughes are locked in a self-destructive battle, leaving the PNC fractured and unable to present a unified vision for the people of Guyana.
The People’s National Congress (PNC) leadership is facing intense scrutiny as Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton and Nigel Hughes come under fire for their divisive rhetoric and questionable tactics. Since assuming leadership of the PNC, Norton has not only refused to acknowledge President Dr. Irfaan Ali by shaking his hand but has also shown disdain for Guyana’s democratic processes and multi-ethnic reality.
Norton’s refusal to engage with Dr. Ali stems from his belief that Ali is undeserving of the presidency—a stance widely rejected by the people of Guyana. This behavior highlights Norton’s unwillingness to accept the will of the electorate and his failure to represent the interests of his Afro-Guyanese.
Additionally, Norton’s accusations labeling Dr. Ali and Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo as racists have been debunked by the public. These baseless claims are seen as a desperate attempt to shift focus away from the PNC’s dwindling support and internal fractures.
Nigel Hughes, on the other hand, is reportedly working to hijack the PNC’s voter base, particularly Afro-Guyanese supporters, to further his personal ambitions. Hughes’s actions have sparked tensions within the PNC party, raising concerns about its stability and future.
Guyana is a proud multi-racial society, not an extension of Africa. Both Norton and Hughes must acknowledge this reality. History has shown that no PNC government can be elected in Guyana without the support of Indo-Guyanese voters, as evidenced by past electoral outcomes, unless the PNC used its rigging tactics to undermine and rely solely on Afro-Guyanese votes or to sabotage democratic processes and rigging elections, as was and is advocated by geriatric Hamilton Green’s to keep power in African Guyanese hands in Guyana. Hamilton’s rigging idea will only lead to further division and instability.
The PNC’s challenges are compounded by Nigel Hughes’s apparent ambition to take over the PNC party. His lack of a genuine voter base has led him to target Afro-Guyanese PNC supporters, further fragmenting the party. Meanwhile, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) demonstrates unity and commitment to all Guyanese, regardless of ethnicity or background.
Norton and Hughes must recognize that Guyana’s strength lies in its diversity. Their divisive tactics and refusal to embrace the country’s multi-ethnic identity risk alienating voters and undermining the democratic fabric of the nation. The sooner they accept that Guyana is a South American multi-racial nation with a unique blend of cultures and not an African extension, the better for all citizens.