At a staged press conference recently installed Second Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo revealed that President Irfaan Ali will meet with People’s National Congress Reform (PNCT) Leader Aubrey Norton when he becomes Opposition Leader, According to the Second Vice President there are a number of constitutional Commissions that are yet to be operationalized and require consultation between the President and the Opposition Leader.
It should, however, be noted, that it was President Ali who first abrogated his constitutional responsibility of meeting with then Leader of the Opposition Joseph Harmon on the appointment of constitutional office holders. “Until there is an acknowledgement from Harmon that this is a legitimately elected government, there is no room for that engagement,.” Ali had stated to the media.
Harmon in responding to the President had stated, “I offer my considered rejection to this notion. This is an absurd proposition and a continuation of the intransigence of the PPP regime in absolutely refusing to engage in dialogue. I am, as I have been and as is well known, since being elected Leader of the Opposition prepared to meet with President Ali in the best interest of advancing the cause of the Guyanese people.”
Among the constitutional bodies that are yet to be reconstituted are: the Police Service Commission, Public Service Commission, the Teaching Service Commission, Judicial Service Commission and the Integrity Commission. Additionally, the appointments of a Chancellor of the Judiciary, Chief Justice, and the Ombudsman are to take center stage, as well.
With the resignation of former Education Minister Dr. Nicolette Henry recently as a Member of Parliament, it is expected that the PNCR Leader Aubrey Norton will fill the seat vacated and be elected Opposition Leader. Norton, in December, won the leadership of the PNCR by a landslide, capturing some 85% of the total votes cast. Since then he has held meetings with the Canadian and British High Commissioners, the US Ambassador, the Commonwealth Secretary General, among other top dignitaries. Additionally, Norton was also recently elected Chairman of APNU.
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