GEORGETOWN, Guyana, Oct 4, CMC – Former leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) R0bert Corbin, died in hospital on Sunday .
He was 79-years-old.
Corbin served as Leader of the PNCR from 2003 to 2012 and served as party chairman for a number of years, and moved up to the Leader’s position following the death of Desmond Hoyte.
He went on to be elected party leader on a number of occasions and also served as Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly.
He became an elected Member of Parliament from August 1973 to October 1997 and from 2001 to 2011.
During the PNC’s time in government, he held several ministerial portfolios, the highest rank being Deputy Prime Minister from 1985 to 1992.
In 2000 he was elected PNC chairman and following the death of Desmond Hoyte in February 2003, he ascended to the position of Acting Leader of the Party before being elected to the position after.
He led the party to the 2006 elections and loss, and eventually stepped down as party leader in 2012. Corbin was also an Attorney-at-law.
The PNCR described Corbin as “an astute, loyal, disciplined and hardworking member” of the party” adding also that he was “a shrewd politician, an avid promoter of coalition politics that is credited with leading the PNCR into coalition politics that eventually resulted in the 2015 APNU+AFC Coalition, and its concomitant victory.
In a statement, President Irfaan Ali said as a former deputy prime minister and a long standing legislator, Corbin occupied a place of prominence in public life.
“At this time of profound loss, I extend my sincere condolences to Mr. Corbin’s family and loved ones, to the leadership and membership of the People’s National Congress, and to its supporters throughout Guyana and the diaspora. May his family, colleagues and supporters find strength and comfort in the memories of his life and service, and may his soul rest in eternal peace.”
CMC/gy/kb/2026