PORT-OF-SPAIN – Dr Keith Rowley was yesterday named Opposition Leader and immediately served notice that he would be going after the newly appointed Minister of Transport and Works, Jack Warner, who is also vice-president of the football world governing body, FIFA.
Speaking to reporters shortly after receiving his instruments of appointment from President George Maxwell Richards, Rowley said his first order of business would be to write a letter to the Integrity Commissioner to seek an opinion on whether or not it is possible for a government minister to hold executive authority in another body outside of cabinet.
Rowley, who was dismissed as minister of housing in the Patrick Manning government in 2008, is one of 12 candidates of the People’s National Movement (PNM) who were successful in the May 24 general election won by the People’s Partnership, an amalgam of five opposition parties and trade unions under the leadership of Kamla Persad-Bissessar, by a 29 to 12 seat margin over the PNM.
“This is not a swearing-in ceremony . . . the Leader of the Opposition does not require a swearing-in,” President Richards said.
Rowley, for his part, said he regarded the occasion as a “very special moment for me” and warned that the opposition “would put the interest of the people first at all times”.
“We will support all that is good for the country and we will oppose anything that is bad for it,” he said, adding that the new session of Parliament, scheduled for June 14, would be a “very exciting one”.
Among the 11 people signing a letter to President Richards supporting Rowley was former Prime Minister Manning, who called the general election more than two years ahead of the constitutional deadline. (CMC)
