Several unsuccessful candidates from last weekend’s People’s National Movement (PNM) internal election, including Roger Boynes, Sanjiv Boodhu and Port-of-Spain Mayor Chinua Alleyne, will be attending the party’s convention this Sunday.
All three confirmed their attendance.
Boynes, who unsuccessfully contested the post of general secretary, issued a statement yesterday where he continued to claim election irregularities may constitute grounds for a legal challenge to the election process.
However, Boynes said he is now focused on assisting to rebuild the PNM and will attend Sunday’s convention.
“In the spirit of rebuilding the party, I recommend we use the concerns I’ve highlighted here to remedy mistakes made and work together with our political leader to rebuild a great party and a great nation. If the political leader, calls, I’m here to assist,” Boynes added.
The venue for the convention was initially announced on Wednesday as Lions Cultural Centre. But it has been changed to the Port-of-Spain City Hall.
Boynes’ statement followed Wednesday’s media briefing by PNM leader-elect Pennelope Beckles, general secretary Foster Cummings and party stalwart and MP Colm Imbert. Beckles has said she will reach out to defeated candidates from the general election and the party’s internal poll.
Alleyne, who unsuccessfully contested the post of chairman, said yesterday, “I’ll definitely be attending Sunday’s PNM convention to witness an historic moment for us as a party when our first female political leader takes office. I’d like to congratulate the Honourable, Pennelope Beckles on this great achievement and will continue to support her in whichever way I can.”
Boodhu, who lost in his bid to become elections officer, said he would also be attending.
People’s Champions slate leader Farai Hove Masasai said he would know by today (Friday) if he and his team would attend as they were meeting last evening. Masaisai resigned from PNM’s General Council on Wednesday after losing his bid for chairmanship.
Some PNM members want Beckles to urge him to reconsider, “Rebuilding requires all,” they said.
— Gail Alexander