Cudjoe unopposed for Tobago West

Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Ayanna Webster-Roy and veterinarian Dr Kern Johnson are to be screened on May 31 to contest the PNM’s Tobago East seat in the upcoming general election.

And Sport and Youth Affairs Minister Shamfa Cudjoe is the sole nominee to be screened for the Tobago West seat.

PNM Tobago Council general secretary Yolanda George confirmed the developments in an interview with Newsday on Thursday.

She said nominations closed at 6pm on Wednesday.

George said in Tobago East, the nominations from the constituency’s youth league and 19 party groups were split between Webster-Roy and Johnson.

She added the other three contenders in the race to contest the Tobago East seat – Brian Nurse, Julette Pope and Crystal Edwards – did not receive any nominations.

George said Cudjoe got overwhelming support from the Tobago West constituency youth league and 25 party groups.

She said the screening exercise is expected to take place at 4pm but a venue is still to be decided.

PNM Tobago Council chairman Stanford Callender said at a virtual news conference on May 22 the party is in full election mode.

He added the party has already identified its campaign co-ordinator and systems are being put in place to execute its election strategy as soon as TT returns to some semblance of normalcy.

On that occasion, Callender expressed confidence the PNM would retain its two Tobago seats.

“We are confident the PNM will continue to do well as a political party because as chairman of the Tobago Council, I am confident that the People’s National Movement still represents the only hope for the continued development of the island and the nation,” he said.