“We must get governance right. And what we do outside of good governance, we will do inside when we get in Government.”
This, from prominent member of the Congress of the People (COP), Wendell Eversley, as he voiced concerns about the legitimacy of Prakash Ramadhar’s appointment as COP Interim Leader by outgoing leader Kirt Sinnette.
Exploring outgoing Congress of the People (COP) leader Kirt Sinnette’s authority to appoint an interim leader without the involvement of the National Executive, Mr. Eversley referred to Article 17 of the COP Constitution, which covers the “Resignation, Replacement and Removal of Officers.”
“Where the office of Political Leader is vacant, for any reason other than the end of the term of the office, the National Council shall summon a special conference of the National Assembly within 90 days of the date of such office being vacated by the election of a political leader. In the interim, the National Council shall appoint one of the Deputy Leaders to act as the Political Leader. This is in the constitution of the COP.”
Mr. Eversley asserted that the language of Article 17 indicates that Kirt Sinnette has no authority to appoint an Interim Leader himself.
“Kirt Sinnette resigned as Interim Political Leader. Then he appoints Prakash Ramadhar as Interim Political Leader. Kirt Sinnette has no authority, according to this constitution, the COP constitution, to appoint Prakash Ramadhar as interim Political Leader. The Constitution is clear on it.”
Re-emphasising that his interest always lies with good governance for the benefit of all citizens of Trinidad and Tobago, Mr. Eversley shared a vision for a Grand Alliance.
“The Grand Alliance is calling all who interested to seek Trinidad and Tobago where good governance is concerned. People who share the same philosophy and ideas… And we want to make sure that we come with mechanisms, we come with policies, we come with structures.”