Samuda stands down
Published:Friday | November 19, 2010 | 12:00 AM
Arthur Hall, Senior Staff Reporter
Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) General Secretary Karl Samuda yesterday finally ended the long guessing game.
He will be calling it quits as the leader of the party's secretariat.
Samuda yesterday made it clear that he wants his deputy, Aundré Franklin, to replace him, and left little doubt that Dr Ken Baugh would get his support in any face-off with Mike Henry for the chairmanship of the party.
Nominations for the post of general secretary, chairman and other offices open next Monday, November 22 and close on November 28, with the elections set for the party's Central Executive meeting of December 5.
But even before the nomination date was set, speculation started over what are expected to be interesting contests to fill these key posts in the governing party.
Most of the speculation has surrounded whether Samuda, who has led the JLP's secretariat since November 2003, would enter a race with Franklin and the party's deputy treasurer, Daryl Vaz.
Yesterday, Samuda ended the uncertainty.
"I have taken the decision, and it is not changeable, that I would not seek re-election as general secretary of the Jamaica Labour Party," Samuda told journalists at a mid-morning media briefing at the party's New Kingston headquarters.
"I have played my part. My scores are on the board. I am the only other person in almost 50 years to have led - as general secretary - this party to victory," said Samuda.
Never planned to return
According to Samuda, months ago he indicated to prime minister and party leader, Bruce Golding, that he did not intend to return as general secretary.
He said his delay in confirming that decision was linked to the controversy surrounding the Harold Brady-Manatt, Phelps & Phillips issue which caused him to consider if he had a further role to play as leader of the secretariat.
"I have reason to feel quite confident that the persons involved in the party at this level now are capable of seeing us through."
Franklin, who was sitting at Samuda's left, welcomed the endorsement, as he confirmed he would be nominated for the post next Monday.
Vaz, who was not at the media briefing, later told The Gleaner that he was determined to offer himself for the general secretary post.
He said he has already started his consultation with members of the Central Executive and members of the various committees of the party.