Trotman exits AFC leadership | | Print | |
Written by Kwesi Isles |
Saturday, 04 August 2012 14:16 |
Leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC) Raphael Trotman has announced that he will not be running for any senior party position as delegates meet to elect a new Leader and executive. He made the declaration at the opening of the AFC's Third National Conference on Saturday citing his duties as Speaker of the National Assembly as the reason. "Firstly, I believe that I cannot provide the strong and steady representation and leadership that the executive and members need whilst performing and fulfilling my duties as Speaker because of the nature of that office and its unending demands on me. Secondly, I am of the firm conviction that a political party and moreso the Alliance For Change, like a living organism, must grow, must adapt, must evolve continuously if it is to remain relevant and connected to its members and the wider society as a whole," Trotman stated. However, he assured the party members that he was not retiring from politics or the AFC stating "I'm going to be here forever." Trotman also reiterated his support for Chairman Khemraj Ramjattan to succeed him as Leader for the party they, along with the late Sheila Holder, founded in 2005. Ramjattan's ratification is expected to be unchallenged. He also put the party faithful on guard for national polls saying it was likely to happen before 2016. "It is time that we put our house in order and to begin to prepare for the next elections which are likely to come before 2016. We need to have a cadre of strong leaders, national leaders, servant leaders who extend throughout every region, village, and street. We need to identify them, train them, support them, protect them," Trotman stated. He also announced that Holder's widower, Noel, was now the AFC's National Coordinator. Earlier, Ramjattan referenced the situation in Linden and reiterated the argument that Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee take "ministerial responsibility" for the events which resulted in the deaths of three protesters in clashes with the police. βBrothers and sisters, we have to bring back accountability to this country and if we have to make on the streets an example of Clement Rohee going we will have to do that," he declared to applause. The opposition parties on Tuesday used their majority in the National Assembly to pass a motion of no confidence in the minister calling for him to resign or be dismissed. The government is not constitutionally bound to act on the motion. In addition to the Leader, the AFC will be electing the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, General Secretary and 12 Committee members. |