Of Norton, Hinds, and Azruddin – a reply to Christopher Ram
Dear Editor,
Mr Christopher Ram has come out with high praise for Aubrey Norton, David Hinds, and Azruddin Mohamed (July 8, 2025). One would think that Ram, being an accountant and lawyer, would be more given to evidence. Instead, we are treated to statements that amount to a eulogy for Norton, puffery for Hinds, and flattery for Azruddin.
Ram thinks the APNU under Norton is “resurgent”. But nothing could be more distant from the truth. A long line of comrades not only openly criticised Norton for backward leadership but also bolted from the PNCR. Mr Ram should be reminded that Jermaine Figueira abandoned the PNCR and Norton for four reasons, namely, “erosion of the ideal of national unity”, “decline of internal ethics and honour”, “absence of visionary leadership”, and “failure to uphold national duty”. This is what the record on APNU’s presidential candidate Norton shows.
The ill-begotten adoration of Hinds is shocking given Ram’s own criticism of the $100,000 cash grant distributed to the Guyanese people by the PPP/C administration. Ram thinks that this is inflationary. Yet, the ‘genius’ David Hinds wants to give out ten times that. Here is a quick question for Chris Ram. If one hundred thousand is inflationary, what, sir, would be the effect on the economy of ten times that amount?
One must also bear in mind the words of Jermaine Figueria, who categorically condemned the PNCR’s “alignment with elements espousing divisive ethno-political rhetoric”.
Ram also needs to be reminded that it was David Hinds who aggressively advocated throwing out the results of the 2020 elections once the recount confirmed that the APNU-AFC was defeated.
Then, in an extraordinary display of historical brinkmanship, Chris Ram likens Azruddin Mohamed’s current display to that most gallant son of the soil – Dr Walter Rodney. Azruddin’s sanction by the United States’ Office of Foreign Assets Control is completely ignored. Rodney was known for his opposition to the PNC dictatorship; Azruddin is known for his electoral tourism.
