Cuffie bows out of politics

LA HORQUETTA/Talparo MP Maxie Cuffie is bowing out of politics.

In a Facebook post addressed to his constituents on Wednesday, Cuffie said, “After prayerful consideration and discussion with his family,” he has decided not to accept any nomination to contest the next general election as a PNM candidate for the constituency.

He said he did not want his past health issues to become a distraction.

“This is despite my getting written confirmation letters from both local and international medical experts attesting to the fact that I have made a complete recovery from the medical issues which affected me in September 2017, to the effect that I can withstand the rigours of an election campaign and those issues are not expected to affect me in the future.

“For this, I remain grateful to God,” Cuffie said. Cuffie had a stroke and received medical treatment in the United States.

He said he will wholeheartedly support the PNM’s re-election campaign.

“Rest assured too, that consistent with my oath of office, I will continue to work towards the completion of all projects aimed at enhancing your lives for the remainder of my term in office,’ he told his constituents.

He said it was an honour to represent them and was pleased by the significant strides made in the constituency to enhance infrastructure and create employment

Cuffie first entered Parliament as the representative for La Horquetta/Talparo, having won the seat in the 2015 general election.

He was appointed Minister of Communications and was shifted to the Ministry of Public Administration in 2016. After his stroke, he was replaced by Port of Spain South MP Marlene McDonald in the ministry in 2018 and became a minister in the ministry.