By Prior Beharry
POLITICAL Leader of the People’s National Movement (PNM) Dr Keith Rowley is calling United National Congress (UNC) members to come over to his party.
He made the call via a Facebook post on Friday, minutes after it was revealed that former UNC senator Taharqa Obika went over to the PNM.
Obika was flanked by PNM’s General Secretary Foster Cummings and Education Officer Laurel Lezama-Lee Singh at the party’s central regional office at the corner of Chrisse Terrance and the Southern Main Road in Chaguanas.
The PNM had initially called a press conference at this same venue for 1 pm, but it was cancelled. The announcement was carried live on social media.
Obika signed his application form and Cummings who also affixed his signature said he would recommend him to become the newest member of the PNM.
Both men shook hands and Lezama-Lee Singh then pinned a Balisier pin onto Obika’s jacket.
Obika said there was a number of pull factors in wanting to become a PNM member while there were push factors causing him to leave the UNC.
He said, “They are push factors from whence I came and there’s much to repel, but specifically a case in point is just today, statements made about the deceased (former PNM MP and minister) Ken Valley by Senator (David) Nakhid, but I won’t dwell on that.
“I’ll focus on the future. I just turned 40 years and as many persons do when they turn that milestone age – reflect, and reflect on my service to my country and being serious about governance because serious governance lies in making decisions that are in the best interest of the people of Trinidad and Tobago.
“And for that, I am thankful for the opportunity once more by the political leader of the PNM Dr Keith Rowley for this opportunity. I thank you very much.”
Cummings assured Obika that he would find a space in the PNM.
And Dr Rowley posted on his personal Facebook account a piece titled: AN OPEN INVITATION TO FORMER UNC MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS
Was Obika the proverbial traitor on board the UNC shop. Or did he jump ship for 30 pieces of silver. March 2021 he was screaming at the PNM Government to open TT borders to allow his Ghanian born wife and children to come back into TT. What has changed ? Is it greed or selfishness