Francis Fonseca unanimous leader of P.U.P.

Before noon today, the People’s United Party decided on its new leader following tumultuous days of uncertainty that placed the sixty-one year old party at its lowest ebb.  Three candidates; Julius Espat, Mike Espat and Arthur Saldivar, presented their names after Mark Espat declined on Tuesday. This morning they bowed out of the race as soon as the meeting of the National Executive got underway. Sometime between Wednesday afternoon and this morning, the Senior Deputy Party Leader and Freetown Representative Francis Fonseca was prevailed upon by the so called old guard to assume the leadership.  Fonseca served as a former minister of education and attorney general under the Musa Administration.  News Five’s Jose Sanchez was at Independence Hall when the announcement was made.

Jose Sanchez, Reporting

The National Executive plus standard bearers of the Peoples United Party strolled into the party headquarters at Independence Hall. Chairman Henry Charles and Fort George Area Rep. Said Musa, Anthony Mahler, and delegates from San Pedro and other municipalities were amongst those that entered just before ten this morning. The absence of four faces was noteworthy. John Briceño was represented by his brother Jaime; Arthur Saldivar was represented by his uncle, Max Samuels. And brothers-in-law Cordel Hyde and Mark Espat were also absent. However, one time heir to the PUP throne Francis Fonseca also cheerfully entered the meeting. After two hours inside the blue machine, Chairman Henry Charles Usher emerged to announce the new leader.

Henry Charles Usher, Chairman, P.U.P.

“I would just like to reiterate, yesterday we received more than one application for the position of party leader. We received applications, nominations and acceptances from Arthur Saldivar, Julius Espat, Mike Espat and the Honorable Francis Fonseca today at the national executive and standard bearer meeting, the joint meeting, those three persons Julius Espat, Mike Espat and the representative for Arthur Saldivar who was Max Samuels, they have all told the national executive that their candidacy has been withdrawn. That leaves only one candidate to party leader, the honorable Francis Fonseca. We are keeping to the timeline set by the national executive set last week. We will have a national party council on the 29^th of October, next week Saturday to endorse the honorable Francis Fonseca as Party Leader of the People’s United Party.”

Henry Charles Usher

With less than twenty four hours to the next House Meeting, Fort George’s Said Musa will represent the party as in the familiar role as Leader of the Opposition;  one day only in the gladiator’s arena with PM Barrow.

Jules Vasquez, 7 News

“Mr. Musa will you be leader in the house?”

Said Musa, Former Prime Minister

“The party chairman will speak to you.”

Henry Charles Usher

Said Musa

“The national executive has recommended that the senior parliamentary, parliamentarian in the house, the Right Honorable Said Musa, member for Fort George, be the leader of the opposition in tomorrow’s house meeting such time until the new leader is endorsed at the national party council next week Saturday. Francis Fonseca said in the meeting that he would prefer for the process to completed, for the endorsement to be finished for him to be the party leader, before he assumes leader of the opposition. It was then recommended by the national executive that the senior Member of Parliament, the member of Fort George, be the leader of the opposition. The national party council will endorse the new leader. Of course we are moving into a municipal campaign and what we will do is to have a launch of municipal campaign and a convention-like atmosphere where Francis Fonseca will be the party leader of this country; sorry of the People’s United Party and future Prime Minister of this country.”

So on Friday the Leader of the Opposition, Said Musa, alongside Party leader in waiting Francis Fonseca on the battlefield that will for better or worse, see the passage of the ninth amendment. Reporting for News Five, Jose Sanchez.