By Sue-Ann Wayow
DR Keith Rowley will step down as political leader of the People’s National Movement (PNM) on Thursday.
Dr Rowley took up the position in 2010 following the defeat of former leader Patrick Manning at the 2010 general election.
In a Facebook post on Wednesday at 9.08 am, Dr Rowley stated, “On January 06, 2025, I indicated my intention to step down as Political Leader of the People’s National Movement with the party holding a convention to elect a new Political Leader in September.
“In March, on my last day in office as Prime Minister, I informed the country that, although my term as Political Leader legally runs until 2026, it was my intention to vacate this position at the earliest opportunity in consultation with the Leadership of the Movement.”
He stated, “Today I will address the General Council and tender my resignation as Political Leader of the People’s National Movement which will take effect from tomorrow, Thursday 01 May, 2025. This completes my disengagement firstly in the Government (March 16, 2025) and finally, in the party, (May 01, 2025).”
“I offer my sincere thanks to all for the opportunity to be of service in the various offices. I extend my best wishes to the PNM and the nation. May Almighty God continue to bless us all in the nation of Trinidad and Tobago.”
At the PNM’s General Council meeting, the party will decide on who will represent them in the Parliament as Leader of the Opposition.
According to the Parliament website, Dr Rowley was appointed to the Parliament as a senator in 1987 and was subsequently elected and re-elected for nine consecutive parliamentary terms during which, for various periods, he served as Minister of Agriculture, Lands and Marine Resources, Minister of Planning and Development, Minister of Housing, and Minister Trade and Industry.
As a Minister of Government, he served as a designated Governor of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).
Dr Rowley served as Leader of the Opposition from 2010 to 2015 while Prime Minister-elect Kamla Persad-Bissessar was prime minister.
He was also Deputy Political Leader of the People’s National Movement (PNM) from 1987 to 2008 and has been Political Leader from 2010 to present.
Dr Rowley was elected Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago in September 2015 and again in August 2020.
