Grenada opposition leader announces resignation

ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada, CMC – Leader of the main opposition National Democratic Congress Nazim Burke has announced his resignation, three months after the March 13 general election in which the party  – for a second tie, was unable to win a seat.

Addressing delegates at the party’s general council session on Sunday,  Burke said he was not pressured into stepping down, but the decision came about after much reflection and careful consideration.

In a speech which focused mainly on the outcome of the General Election, Burke said that NDC’s inability to win a seat  cannot be pinned down to one reason but based on the data, the party need to increase its support base.

“We must have the courage to go back to the drawing board, put all the cards on the table and carefully and honestly re-evaluate and re-examine how best to deploy them. In so doing, there should be no exception, not even for the position of Party Leader,” he told the delegates before informing that of his decision to give up the leadership position.

“And so today, I announce my resignation as Political Leader of the National Democratic Congress with immediate effect. I do so with no regrets, bitterness or resentment but in the genuine desire to afford the party the opportunity to explore other leadership options, as we embark on this journey of renewal and rebuilding our party to achieve its organisational goals,” he told the General Council session.

“I wish to make it abundantly clear that I am not been pushed out by anyone. Under our Party constitution, my position as party leader cannot be lawfully challenged until November 2020. I have reached this decision on my own accord, after much reflection and careful consideration. I must tell you that coming to that decision has not been an easy road to travel. But through it all, I have been guided by the firm and unshakable belief that I should do what is in the best interest of the Party, regardless of my personal feelings and circumstance,” Burke told the more than 200 delegates.

“I know that many of our members will not be happy about this decision. I have received numerous phone calls and WhatsApp and facebook messages and have had many face to face encounters urging me not to do so. For those of you who have reached out in that way, I thank you, most sincerely, for your vote of confidence. At the same time, I believe that it is the right and fair thing to do and I hope that the underlying motivations and wisdom of this decision will be appreciated if not now, then sometime in the future,” he said.

In his final speech as political leader, Burke urged the party to approach its review status dispassionately, with openness, honesty, and candor. 

We want to hear from you! Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-449-0169, email us at editors@gleanerjm.com or onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com.