PNP settles on Williams for Ocho Rios

Carl Gilchrist, Gleaner Writer

Just a day ahead of nominations for the March 26 local government elections, all seems to be finally settled in the contentious Ocho Rios division for the People's National Party (PNP).

Designated candidate Paul Stewart, after being confirmed by the PNP Region One secretariat late February, resigned last Thursday, paving the way for Dr Rohan Williams to be the party's candidate in the elections.

"The officer corps chose Williams as the candidate upon the resignation of Paul Stewart as the candidate. I received his resignation on Thursday and forwarded it to the party officers," Region One chairman Lisa Hanna confirmed to The Gleaner/Power 106 news centre yesterday.

Demonstration

Stewart's confirmation had drawn a demonstration by Williams' supporters who claimed their candidate was the right choice.

Following news that Stewart, the losing candidate (North East St Ann) in December's general election had resigned, his supporters also demonstrated in support of him.

"He simply wanted to present a united front for the division, with elections just weeks away," said the source.

Efforts to get a comment from Stewart were unsuccessful as he could not be reached.

On February 26, after a Region One conference in Brown's Town, St Ann, Hanna had reported that all was well as the issue concerning candidate selection for the Ocho Rios division, was settled and Stewart was the chosen candidate.