by Linda Straker
- Emmalin Pierre is NNP’s first female political leader
- New deputy political leader is Norland Cox
- Dr Keith Mitchell will now serve as party chairman
Delegates attending the New National Party (NNP) convention on Sunday, 15 December, selected the party’s first female political leader. Emmalin Pierre served as public relations officer before her elevation to political leader. The new deputy political leader is Norland Cox.
The convention was overdue by approximately 2 years. The NNP has been led by Dr Keith Mitchell since 1989, after he was elected political leader during a convention in which he contested against Herbert Blaize, the first leader of the NNP.
The NNP was formed by several small political parties to contest the 1984 General Elections, Grenada’s first following the collapse of the People’s Revolutionary Government (PRG) in October 1983.
Dr Mitchell will now serve as party chairman, and Gregory Bowen will now serve as the deputy chairman. The election at the convention, held at the St Andrew’s Anglican Secondary School, occurred against accusations from former Assistant General Secretary Peter David of an undemocratic process lacking fairness, transparency, and legality.
David, one of two people who applied to become the political leader, announced that he was pulling out of the race late Saturday. “They have built a barricade for the way forward. Their divisive machinations have left me with little option but to withdraw myself from tomorrow’s proceedings, as a delegate or even an observer,” he said in an address broadcast via his Facebook page.
“Democracy’s time has come. Decency’s time has come. Honesty’s time has come. I say to you: Tonight is not the end of anything. It is the beginning of everything.” He thanked the cross-section of Grenadians who have been encouraging him through the many months, weeks, and especially in recent days, to not abandon his campaign for leadership.
The NNP executive comprises:
- Chairman: Keith Mitchell
- Deputy Chairman: Gregory Bowen
- Political Leader: Emmalin Pierre
- Deputy Political Leader: Norland Cox
- General Secretary: Roland Bhola
- Assistant General Secretary: Kate Lewis
- Recording Secretary: Steve Hosford
- Assistant Recording Secretary: Rosemary Welsh
- Treasurer: Nimrod Ollivierre
- Public Relations Officer: Kitaka Mawuto
- Labour Relations Officer: Winston Garraway
- Welfare Officer: Laurina Waldron
- Floor Members: Osborn Gilbert, Kenneth Noel, Edmond Calliste, Marcus Christopher, Christopher De Allie, and George Alexander
