By Sue-Ann Wayow
NATIONAL Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds is no longer a deputy leader in the People’s National Movement (PNM).
He was replaced by Education Minister Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly.
Dr Gadsby-Dolly was voted in as the party’s vice-chairman in the recent internal elections. She had to resign from this post to take up the DPL position.
She told AZP News that she was honoured to have been considered.
On Saturday, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley announced the changes during the party’s general council meeting.
Dr Gadsby-Dolly said, “I am honoured that the PNM has reposed confidence in my ability to contribute to its development, as well as the development of the country, at this time.”
She added, “The PNM is not an ordinary party, it is a living, breathing, complex institution, and its management requires hard work from many party members. That party structure and organization has made the difference between the success of this great political party which has survived and thrived for 67 good years, and the many others which have sprung into existence on the political landscape over time, and disappeared just as quickly.”
Dr Gadsby-Dolly said some PNM members who contribute their time and effort to the party were elected or appointed into named positions, but there were countless others who contributed valuably and were not.
She told AZP News, “I have been privileged to serve for the past seven years as an MP and Cabinet Minister. I headed a JSC, spearheaded various party committees and activities, and to the extent that these opportunities have prepared me to play a role in Party Leadership, I am grateful.
“Along with my various roles in the Party, Parliament, Constituency, and Government, I am also a wife, mother, daughter, and friend. The support from my family and team is tremendous, and accounts in large part for any achievements credited to me thus far. That support will be even more valuable and critical as I move forward.”
In addition to Dr Gadsby-Dolly, Dr Rowley also reappointed Works and Transport Rohan Sinanan who has been a deputy political leader since 2010. Finance Minister Colm Imbert, who previously held the position of chairman until last December was also appointed again.
PNM Tobago Council leader Ancil Dennis is also a deputy political leader.
Whoever is elected to lead the Tobago arm of the party automatically becomes a deputy leader and is not selected on the sole discretion of the political leader as in the case of the other deputy leaders.
Hinds, was named as a deputy political leader in November 2019 replacing Marlene McDonald who is on fraud-related charges. He remains as an advisor to the political leader, a new position established and is not part of the executive.
Joan Yuille-Williams, a PNM veteran for decades was also moved from her position of deputy political leader to the advisory position.
Last December, the PNM held their internal elections and Dr Rowley and his team were elected to lead the oldest political party in the country.
