Dennis endorses Davidson-Celestine for THA Chief Secretary

Chief Secretary Ancil Dennis has publicly endorsed PNM Tobago Council political leader Tracy Davidson-Celestine as the island’s next Chief Secretary, if the party wins the January 25 THA election.

He did so on Sunday while addressing a PNM meeting at the Eric Hovel Recreation Ground, Calder Hall.

Referring to the findings of a recent NACTA poll, which suggested the PNM could win all of the 12 electoral districts, Dennis described as “erroneous” an aspect of the survey which suggested there is a struggle for leadership within the party.

“I saw something in that article that, to me, was very erroneous where it suggested that, like the PDP (Progressive Democratic Patriots), within the PNM there appears to be a struggle within the leadership. And therefore I want to debunk that,” he told supporters.

Dennis, who is contesting the Buccoo/Mt Pleasant electoral district for a third consecutive term, revealed he got drunk once in his life “and it was not with power.

“And therefore, I am standing here tonight to say to the people of this party and to the people of Tobago that within the Tobago Council of the People’s National Movement, there is one political leader and, therefore, according to that and according to the traditions and customs of this disciplined party, there is only one candidate for the Chief Secretary in the People’s National Movement.”

Dennis said Davidson-Celestine, who is contesting the Lambeau/Signal Hill seat, has served the PNM with distinction over the years.

“And therefore I want to endorse a lady that has served Tobago at this level since the age of 26, when she was first selected as councillor.

“And then, of course, at that point in time she served as an assistant secretary in the Division of Sport and Youth Affairs and then following that she served as a secretary of Community Development and Culture and then after that as secretary of Tourism.”

He said Davidson-Celestine, who is also the outgoing Secretary in the Division of Health, Wellness and Family Development, also served as TT’s ambassador to Costa Rica.

“And here she is, back on the island of Tobago, prepared to serve this island as its first female Chief Secretary.

“And, I am saying, based on all I have said, we have a leader with experience, a leader with integrity, a strong young woman, who will take Tobago forward as we have been taking this island forward over the past 21 years.”

Dennis reiterated the PNM has one political leader and one candidate for Chief Secretary.

Dennis was elected Chief Secretary on May 6 after Kelvin Charles’ resignation on April 30. Charles lost the leadership of the PNM Tobago Council to Davidson-Celestine in a run-off election on June 26. Davidson-Celestine won the election with the backing of Deputy Chief Secretary Joel Jack and former THA presiding officer Dr Denise Tsoiafatt Angus.

Tsoiafatt Angus, chairman of the Tobago Festivals Commission, is contesting the Scarborough/Calder Hall seat as an independent candidate.