Claims of division, disconnect and discord have rocked the PNM Tobago Council, with two executive members resigning their positions on the same day.
Following chairman Nicole Henry-Waldron’s resignation is that of the party’s youth officer, Carlesia McEwen. However, unlike Henry-Waldron, who quit the party entirely, McEwen said she remains a PNM member.
In her resignation letter, dated October 1st, McEwen, who was elected just over five months ago during the party’s internal elections, said her decision was not taken lightly.
She said she had a genuine desire to help develop young people, strengthen the PNM and create a platform for youths to flourish.
However, McEwen complained of an environment that was unfit for her to fulfil her responsibilities, a lack of internal support and a clash of principles.
“There appears to be a growing disconnect among leadership, accompanied by divisions and tensions that have extended beyond the immediate leadership structure and into the wider organisation’s membership,” McEwen wrote.
She acknowledged that disagreements, differences of opinion and differing approaches were normal and healthy within organisations. However, she warned that unresolved issues and friction at the executive level were trickling down and causing harm to the party’s supporters.
“We cannot overlook the ripple effects that prolonged discord can have on an organisation, particularly when those effects extend into its grassroots structures.”
McEwen also made it clear that her resignation had nothing to do with Henry-Waldron’s departure.
Addressing the departures in a Facebook post on Sunday, PNM Tobago leader Shamfa Cudjoe-Lewis said the party’s rebuilding process continues, but stressed that leadership demands presence, commitment, accountability and a willingness to serve.
Acknowledging the long road back to office after the PNM’s 15-0 defeat in the January THA elections, the former Tobago West MP said: “There is no room for complacency, personal agendas or the pursuit of titles without the willingness to fulfil the responsibilities that come with them.”
Cudjoe-Lewis said her commitment as leader remains resolute and vowed to continue to lead, listen, collaborate with stakeholders and make tough decisions.
She thanked both outgoing executive members for their service.
