PM Rowley in a four-way race for leadership of Trinidad’s People’s National Movement

When the ruling People’s National Movement (PNM) holds its elections later this year, Trinidadian Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Rowley, will face off in a four-way battle for the leadership of the party, Anthony Roberts the elections supervisory committee chairman has announced.

Former Finance Minister, Karen Nunez-Tesheira, Ronald Boynes, the brother of a former government minister, and Junior Barrack have been nominated to contest the November 26 and 27, and December 4 elections.

Chairman of the Diego Martin Regional Corporation, Sigler Jack, and chairman of Rowley’s Diego Martin West constituency office, Robert Cezar presented the PM’s nomination papers on his behalf.

Nunez-Tesheira made it clear to reporters that she was not challenging the government while remaining confident of winning

“My chances of winning the party leadership? I hope that what I would have said resonated with the national community…that I will walk the walk. I will not just talk the talk,” she said.

She also expressed concern over the three days of voting, stating in a letter to Roberts, that while the three days of voting was not unlawful, it was indeed uncommon.

Meanwhile, Boynes told a news conference that has accepted like Jesus “this bitter cup” on behalf of the people, while noting that his challenge was to better the PNM and by extension the country.

Boynes told reporters that his offering is different from that of the other leadership contenders.

“I bring something different to the equation. I understand that the economy has to be transformed, there has to be a transformation of how we do things,” the hopeful candidate said.

Rowley has been the party’s leader since May 2010.