Former People’s National Congress Reform leader Robert Herman Orlando Corbin has died at the age of 78.
Corbin, a lawyer and veteran parliamentarian, served as PNC leader and Leader of the Opposition from 2002 to 2012, succeeding Desmond Hoyte. He first entered the National Assembly in 1973 and spent more than 35 years in Parliament, serving in both government and opposition.
President Irfaan Ali, in expressing condolences, described Corbin as a political stalwart.
He highlighted Corbin’s service as a former Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Government and longstanding Member of Parliament, and extended condolences to his family and loved ones, as well as the PNCR leadership, membership and supporters in Guyana and the diaspora.
Meanwhile, the PNCR and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) described Corbin as an astute, loyal, disciplined and hardworking member of the party.
During the PNC’s time in government, Corbin held several ministerial portfolios and served as Deputy Prime Minister from 1985 to 1992.
The PNCR also credited Corbin with promoting coalition politics, saying his efforts helped lead the party toward the formation of the APNU+AFC Coalition, which won the 2015 elections.
The party said Corbin continued to provide advice during his illness and described his passing as “an irreplaceable loss” to the PNCR and Guyana.
Both the President and the PNCR extended condolences to Corbin’s family, friends, colleagues and supporters.