Senior Investigative Reporter
shaliza.hassanali@guardian.co.tt
Founding member of the People’s National Movement (PNM) Ferdinand Ferreira is predicting victory for Pennelope Beckless One PNM slate of candidates, some of whom he described as “heavy baggage” vying for positions on the party’s national executive.
The internal poll is scheduled today, with the One PNM team challenging the People’s Champion, led by attorney Farai Hove Masaisai.
There are 50 candidates in the election race, 30 of whom are independents.
There are 17 positions up for grabs.
Although 100, 200 members are listed to vote, Ferreira feels the voter turnout will be small.
“I have no doubt in my mind that they will win. I don’t expect a high turnout.”
He also warned Beckles that some of her candidates are “too much baggage” and “it cannot be business as usual”.
Ferreira said he was not satisfied with Beckles’ selection of Foster Cummings and Faris Al-Rawi, who were defeated in the April 28 General Election.
“People wanted to see something different. But you bring back these men. But when you go into an election with candidates who were partly responsible for the defeat, I say, what is that?”
Ferreira said he told Beckles she had to get rid of the baggage.
In addition, he said he was not yet convinced of Beckles’ leadership style.
“I am not making any apologies for that.”
Ferreira was weighing in on the internal elections one day after outgoing PNM Lady Vice Chairman Camille Robinson-Regis called on candidates to stop fighting and bashing former prime minister and political leader Dr Keith Rowley.
Ferreira said he agreed with Robinson-Regis’ statement that Rowley did positive things for the party and country.
Admitting that Rowley made mistakes and was not perfect, Ferreira said, “Whatever we wish to say about him, which would be a lot, he left T&T in a better place.”
He said Rowley’s main problem was his attitude and aggression.
Asked if the infighting would continue after the polls, Ferreira said that would depend on the quality of the new leadership.
Ferreira said he was uncomfortable with what is taking place in the PNM.
“I am somewhat uncomfortable in terms of the level to which the internal conversations have become public. As I said before, the PNM is not a secret society, From time immemorial, there have been public conflicts with the PNM.
“But at a time when the party has just been a victim of a massive defeat and is in the process of restructuring and reuniting, I am not satisfied that this is heading in the right direction.”
He said the new leadership would have to ensure that these internal conventions are stopped.
Yesterday, former PNM general secretary Ashton Ford lashed out at Arouca/Lopinot MP Marvin Gonzales, who stated at a recent political meeting in Tobago that the PNM had become a “dormant political force”.
Ford said Gonzales’ statement was “unfortunate, ridiculous and surprising”, especially as a contender for the chairman’s post.
“He was out of place.”
Describing Gonzales as a “Johnny-come-lately”, Ford said, “The inheritors must not forget the builders of the party.”
Ford said he agreed with Robinson-Regis that Rowley was under attack by people within the party.
Former PNM vice chairman Robert Le Hunte recalled that when Rowley was dismissed from Patrick Manning’s Cabinet in 2009, he expressed “sharp and serious views about the leadership of the PNM. His critiques, delivered with clarity and conviction, were not seen as betrayal but rather as part of the democratic and introspective process that every political party must undergo.”