ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada, CMC –Former foreign affairs minister Peter David Saturday night announced he was withdrawing from the leadership race of the main opposition New National Party (NNP), citing a “massive widespread gerrymandering in the lead up to the convention” on Sunday when the election is scheduled to take place.
David, the party’s deputy general secretary, was being challenged for the post by Emmalin Pierre, whom political observers say has the backing of Opposition Leader Dr. Keith Mitchell, who is not seeking to head the party of which he was a founding member in 1989.
A party statement said that Mitchell, “in his capacity as a longstanding servant of the people of Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique,” told a special executive meeting that “he is willing to serve the party in the position of chairman… for a specific period to help with a smooth and seamless transition as the party embarks on this new chapter of leadership.”
In a broadcast on his Facebook page late Saturday night, David, an attorney, said senior party members had “expressed concern, abhorrence, and sadness about the current situation regarding arrangements for Sunday’s convention, especially the party’s failure to observe democratic norms and to respect constitutionality.
“To date, one day from the convention, our request for a transparent list of the delegates has been ignored. Even as I speak, we do not know precisely who the delegates are for tomorrow’s convention.
“There has been massive widespread gerrymandering in the lead-up to the convention. Duly selected delegates have been changed – in some areas wholesale. Many nominated delegates have reported being axed. Constituency leads have been given specific directions to omit any delegate with the slightest suspicion of a willingness to vote independently.
“This has become an increasingly legitimate concern,” David said in the broadcast.
He said that these concerns are further heightened by the fact that letters asking for clarity sent by at least two constituency groups have not even been acknowledged, much less responded to.
“Instead, some of the signatories of these letters, already ostracized, are being threatened with expulsion. Their only infringement is demanding that democratic norms be followed<‘ he said, adding, “Anyone purporting to be a leader must stand up in the face of all this.”
In his seven-minute broadcast, David said those who are standing fast to fight for democracy and respect, for honesty and fair play, and who are expecting allies can count him in.
“I have made a professional career of standing up for people who feel disregarded or disadvantaged by systems. And I will do so here and now.
“If only for the honor of my children and grandchildren, I shall stand with the disfranchised and the ostracized at this moment,” he said, acknowledging that “my position and status might come under threat, with the political leader in the broad discussions already ostensibly referring to defenders of democracy in the party as people they need to get rid of.”
He said the members and supporters of the NNP, which lost the 2022 general election, deserve that “all of us act with respect and restraint.
“It demands that we not bring the organization we love into further disrepute. Let it be clear tonight that the rumor-mongering does not daunt me; distortions and outright lies about our engagement with the party and our endearing respect for its norms and procedures.
“We kept our counsel and worked tirelessly and respectfully for democracy and unity, even in the face of open attacks from the highest party levels. The Grenadian public saw and heard what has unfolded in the last nine months. At each juncture, those for unity and democracy turned the other cheek, still believing that decency and respect would prevail.”
David said that history would record this period accurately and that while he had put me up to contest one of the party’s key positions, “that process was always deeper and more significant than any personal ambition, either of myself or anyone else.”
He said that many delegates have been disenfranchised, and the pleadings of many party supporters and well-wishers have been wholly ignored throughout this process.
“We are now facing a process which lacks fairness, transparency, and legality,” David said, adding that a broad cross-section of Grenadians has been encouraging him “not to abandon our leadership campaign.
“Tonight, I say to everyone, I am grateful for your unwavering support and belief in inclusivity, justice, and fairness. But after listening to my constituency council and the rank-and-file supporters, and after deep consideration, we must not appear to give a flawed and rigged process legitimacy.
“It is not only the party and the country that have reached an inflection point. I have also reached my inflection point. Without any selfish, naked political consideration or ambition, I must forgo my personal wishes and stand for a broader principle – fairness, respect, and unity.
“They have shared who their nominee is. 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 observer.”
Despite his position, David wanted the NNP supporters to know that “We shall deepen our advocacy; we shall continue to be open to the voice of the people; we shall work harder, and we shall continue to organize.
“I say to you, tonight is not the end of anything. It is the beginning of everything,” David said.
and then 