UNC picks Nakhid for Tunapuna

THE Opposition UNC announced the selection of former national footballer David Nakhid as its Tunapuna candidate for this year's general election. This puts the total number of candidates chosen by the UNC at 11. All of these candidates are in constituencies held by the ruling PNM, which has chosen 37 candidates to date.

The UNC is still to select candidates for the 18 constituencies which it currently holds. The party is not contesting the Tobago East and Tobago West seats.

In a statement, the UNC said Nakhid "has long been a staunch supporter of the UNC and an avid believer in the leadership of Kamla Persad-Bissessar."

The UNC said Nakhid has proven himself "a person of high integrity, fierce patriotism and a deep desire to contribute towards the development of TT."

The UNC also said the people of Tunapuna and TT would know Nakhid as a footballer in the 1980's, head of the David Nakhid International Academy, a former chief scout and assistant coach for the TT men's national football team. The party said Nakhid was committed to representing "the forgotten man" and that Tunapuna had been neglected by the PNM.

The UNC said, "Nakhid has expressed full confidence in the UNC's plans and policies to take TT forward."

Efforts to contact Nakhid for comment were unsuccessful. The party continues its screening for candidates this week.

Sean Sobers (San Fernando West), Kenya Charles (St Ann's East), Alhoy Hunt (St Joseph), Tarharqa Obika (Point Fortin), Marsha Riley-Walker ( Diego Martin West), John Ricardo Laquis (Diego Martin Central), Eli Zakour (Diego Martin North/East), Curtis Orr (Port of Spain South) and Darren Garner(Port of Spain /St Ann's West) are the other UNC candidates chosen to date.

UNC officials said no candidate has been chosen for its stronghold constituencies of Caroni East, Chaguanas West and Tabaquite. Respective MPs Dr Tim Gopeesingh, Ganga Singh and Dr Surujrattan Rambachan, are not standing for re-election.

Princes Town MP Barry Padarath is currently in Florida. There are questions as to whether or not he will return home in time to be screened. Padarath, who left TT before the borders were closed in March to curb the spread of the covid19 pandemic, has filed his nomination papers.

Other UNC incumbents such as Dr Roodal Moonilal (Oropouche East), David Lee ( Pointe-a-Pierre), Ramona Ramdial ( Couva North), Dr Bhoendradatt Tewarie (Caroni Central) and Dr Lackram Bodoe (Fyzabad) have filed nomination papers but are yet to be screened.