Caption: Penelope Beckles-Robinson with other PNM MPs at Balisier House on Wednesday. AZP News/Alicia Chamely
By Alicia Chamely
RESIGNATIONS and revocations, the People’s National Movement (PNM) is undergoing a major shakeup in its leadership.
On April 30th, just two days after a devastating loss at the polls for the PNM, three high-ranking members of the party’s political leadership submitted their resignations. In a surprise twist, just before midnight two members had their positions revoked.
Resignation letters came from party chairman Stuart Young with immediate effect, political leader Dr Keith Rowley, effective Thursday and deputy political leader for party and election matters Rohan Sinanan, effective Thursday.
All three members submitted their resignations before the PNM’s General Council meeting, which took place on Wednesday at Balisier House, Port-of-Spain.
Speaking to the media at a post General Council meeting, PNM General Secretary Foster said, “The General Council took note of all the resignations that were received and expressed its thanks and gratitude to the officers who have served the party well and who have now chosen to move on.”
He said, “In Dr Rowley’s case he has been the political leader for 15 years. Mr. Young’s case he was the chairman since 2022 and Mr. Sinanan has been the deputy political leader for just about the same amount of time as Dr. Rowley.”
Cummings said the remaining members of the party’s leadership will meet in short order to discuss the filling of these vacant positions and will present them to the PNM General Council.
In an unexpected move, right before Dr Rowley’s resignation came into effect, he signed an order to revoke the positions of deputy political leader from Member of Parliament for Diego Martin North-elect Colm Imbert and MP-elect for St Ann’s East Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly.
This came as a shock to those within the PNM camp, as Dr Rowley had not indicated he would revoke any positions before his resignation came into effect as of midnight.
Speaking to AZP via WhatsApp on Thursday morning, Imbert said, regarding the revocation of his position, “That was within Dr Rowley’s prerogative up to midnight last night.”
Asked as to whether he was aware Dr Rowley was going to revoke his position, he said, “It was not expected.”
