P.U.P. Candidates Ready to Take Over North Side Belize City

Elsewhere in the city, nomination of candidates on the north side went without a hitch. This morning, News Five’s Duane Moody roamed the streets to get the vibes from the aspiring candidates. Here is a report.

Duane Moody, Reporting

It was smooth sailing for the People’s United Party candidates for north side Belize City as they simultaneously, with a handful of supporters went to designated nomination station across their divisions to officially ensure put their names on the ballot  for the November eleventh, 2020 General Elections. While there was no fanfare or motorcades, the energy from the Musa camp was felt – Kareem Musa that is!  For a second time, the son of two-term retired prime minister Said Musa is making a bid for the Caribbean shores

Kareem Musa

Kareem Musa, P.U.P. Candidate, Caribbean Shores

“I am so proud to have my wife by my side, to have my team by my side. Everybody this morning came out; unfortunately, we didn’t do the motorcade, but the campaigners came out, the supporters came out so I still got that upliftment from them. So I am appreciative for all the calls, the WhatsApps, the texts from my constituents all across Caribbean Shores entrusting me and having faith and confidence in me to represent them and to represent them well. And so I feel a great sense of pride today, Duane, the same as I did in 2015 even though it is just coming here and going through the formalities.  We are looking forward now to being in government to implement the wonderful policies that we have for this country, the great Plan Belize that we have been unveiling over the last three months. And so I am very excited to be a part of that change come November eleventh to get those policies underway.”

Today, Musa was also joined by his wife, Carla Ayres-Musa and like the saying goes, besides every great man; there is an equally great woman. The sacrifices, says Ayres-Musa are all worth it because her husband is for the people.

Carla Ayres-Musa

Carla Ayres-Musa, Wife of Kareem Musa

“Over the time we have and them (the kids) as well have learned how to share this guy. But you know at the end of the day, I think for me, I know how incredible he is and being with him every day and having known him for twenty years, I know how sincere and genuine he is. And I feel like it would be wrong of me to not support him and share him with the people because he has so much to give. And I think, looking at the situation our country is in, young people, people who are maybe cynical or disillusioned, I feel like he is that hope and that hopeful inspiration for people to come out and vote and help us build a better country.”

Henry Charles Usher, whose taking over the reins of Fort George from Said Musa, was also successfully nominated as the P.U.P. candidate for that division where he will face-off against candidates from the United Democratic Party and the Belize Progressive Party. That division has been a traditionally safe P.U.P. seat.

At the All Saint Primary School, which is the nomination centre for the Freetown Division, a confident former P.U.P. leader and Minister of Education, Francis Fonseca paraded with his nominators. We got a brief comment from him.

Francis Fonseca

Francis Fonseca, P.U.P. Candidate, Freetown

“We are feeling good. Obviously, it is an unusual nomination day. We are used to having a long parade and lotta  noise and energy and music, but we understand the circumstances. But we are ready, we are energised and feeling good.”

Over at Saint Luke’s Methodist School, the nomination centre for the Pickstock Division, it was energized.  A number of supporters were out waving their political flags and chanting in support of Anthony Mahler, who is vying for a seat in the House of Representatives. As he exited the nomination centre, we got a first reaction from him.

Anthony Mahler, P.U.P. Candidate, Pickstock

“It’s been a long road for me so it’s an exciting one and I know on election day, we are going to deliver for the People’s United Party.”

Anthony Mahler

Duane Moody

“Talk to us about the work on the ground to prepare for this?”

Anthony Mahler

“I have been supported by wonderful people—hundreds and thousands of people supporting us—in the Pickstock division, so that has given me the energy to keep going every single day, even with the likes of COVID-19 and this pandemic that we have been fighting with for the last six or seven months. We have been able to change with the times and we have been able to meet as many voters by calling, by going out as much as possible. Politics is about understanding people, the needs of people, communicating with people, but you have to continue to work day in and day out no matter what.  I will assure the people of Pickstock that I will work hard and smart, day in and day out to improve the quality of life for those people in the division.”

Duane Moody for News Five.