Delegates attending Grenada’s main Opposition New National Party (NNP) convention on Sunday, elected the part’s first woman leader. She is Emmalin Pierre, who served as the party’s Public Relations Officer before her elevation, while the new deputy leader is Norland Cox.
The NNP’s December 15 convention was overdue by approximately two years and it was led by Dr Keith Mitchell since 1989 who was then elected to lead the party, taking over from the late Herbert Blaize, the party’s first leader.
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The NNP was formed by several small political parties to contest the 1984 general election, which was the island’s first election following the collapse of the People’s Revolutionary Government in October 1983.
Mitchell will now serve as the Chairman of the Party and Gregory Bowen who served as the deputy political leader will now serve as the deputy chairman of the party.
The election at the convention which was held at the St Andrew’s Anglican Secondary School occurred against accusation from former Assistant General Secretary Peter David of an undemocratic process which lacks fairness, transparency, and legality.
David, who was one of two people who applied to become the leader announced that the was pulling out of the race late Saturday.
“They have built a barricade for the way forward. Their divisive machinations have left me with little option but to withdraw myself from tomorrow’s proceedings, as a delegate or even an observer,” he said in an address that was broadcast via his Facebook page.
“Democracy’s time has come. Decency’s time has come. Honesty’s time has come. I say to you — Tonight is not the end of anything. It is the beginning of everything,” he said in the address as he thanked the cross-section of Grenadians who have been encouraging him through the many months, weeks, and especially in recent days, to not abandon his campaign for leadership. (CMC)
