New National Vision (NNV) political leader Fuad Abu Bakr is accusing the People's National Movement (PNM) of trying to destabilise the country as the election campaign winds down. On Friday, acting Police Commissioner James Philbert said the police recovered an AK-47 assault rifle, two magazines containing 48 rounds of ammunition and several jerseys bearing the logo of the NNV party at a house in Carenage. The NNV is contesting 12 seats in the May 24 election. Philbert admitted the people arrested were believed to be involved in a plot to disrupt next week Monday's election.
Yesterday, in response to the report, Bakr, son of 1990 attempted coup leader Yasin Abu Bakr, said he was disheartened by Philbert's remarks since the Government was only creating unnecessary fear and panic among citizens with the discovery of the jerseys. Bakr said he would not be surprised if Prime Minister Patrick Manning uses this so-called plot to declare a state of emergency at the eleventh hour to delay the general election because they know they are losing support base. "They are the ones trying to destabilise the country, not us. They are playing dirty politics. They should not stoop to that level."
Bakr said having distributed 10,000 jerseys in the last few weeks "anyone could have gotten their hands on it. They just want to associate a political party with some arms and ammunition." "It's disheartening that a police commissioner could make those kinds of allegations based on no evidence. Everywhere in the country there is election fever." "It is ridiculous," said Bakr, who called on Philbert to resign with immediate effect. Stating that the NNV's support was building momentum, Bakr said people were thirsting for change because of the PNM's failure at good governance.
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