Tracy Davidson-Celestine made the right move in deciding to not seek re-election as political leader of the People’s National Movement’s (PNM’s) Tobago Council in the party’s April 24 internal election.

This is the view of political analyst Dr Shane Mohammed as he weighed in on the PNM’s announcement on Thursday of its upcoming election and Davidson-Celestine’s decision to not contest it.

In its statement, the Tobago Council said all 17 executive positions, including that of political leader, are up for grabs. Sunday Newsday understands that the election for four key positions – political leader, chairman, vice-chairman and secretary – are not due until 2024 but the term of the other 13 executive positions ended in January.

The party’s decision to hold fresh elections for all positions was likely triggered by its heavy 14-1 loss to the Progressive Democratic Patriots (PDP) in the December 6, 2021, Tobago House of Assembly (THA) election, and the subsequent resignations of five executive members, including chairman Stanford Callender, PRO Kwesi Des Vignes and lady vice-chair Marslyn Melville-Jack.

The PNM’s statement quoted Davidson-Celestine as saying, “It’s always a great opportunity when our members are willing to serve and help guide the future direction.”

Nomination forms will be available from February 24 at the PNM’s headquarters, Robinson Street, Scarborough.

[caption id="attachment_939373" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Tracy Davidson-Celestine will not seek re-election as PNM Tobago Council leader. - File photo/David Reid[/caption]

Noting the Tobago Council was not able to secure victory in the January 25 and December 6, 2021 THA elections, under Davidson-Celestine’s two-year leadership, Mohammed said, “I think it was the smartest choice given the fact that she led the party to what I would say was defeat in two elections. The six-six tie (between the PNM and PDP in the January THA election) in my view, is not a tie because they had lost seats to get to six in the first instance.”

Mohammed described Davidson-Celestine’s leadership style as narcissistic and self-serving.

“She did not put Tobago first. She put herself first because she was overwhelmed by the fact that she would become the first female chief secretary had the PNM won the election,” he said.

“It is my view that in observing her behaviour, her personality and how she treated with the PNM on several matters, including power-sharing negotiations, it was all about her and not the welfare of the people....I don’t believe she has the necessary leadership trait needed to take the PNM forward.”

Who will lead?

Since the announcement of the internal election, the names of a few potential leadership candidates have surfaced, most notably former chief secretary Ancil Dennis and former finance and the economy secretary Joel Jack, both of whom have enjoyed lengthy stints in the THA as secretaries and area representatives.

Dennis has publicly stated his intention to contest the leadership and promised to give a further update in