Encinas to resubmit PNM nomination for La Brea

People’s National Movement alderman in the Siparia Regional Corporation Christopher Encinas, who received majority support from the La Brea executive for candidacy, says he will resubmit his nomination after he fell ill and couldn’t be screened for the seat last Monday. And Encinas will be seeking candidacy against La Brea constituency chairman Jermel Pierre.

This was confirmed yesterday by party officials.

Pierre and former United National Congress member now PNMite, Taharqa Obika, will be new nominees when La Brea sends back its nominations to the PNM by December 20.

La Brea was among the areas whose nominees were screened by the party’s screening team last week. Encinas was one of three nominees expected to have been screened for the seat, after he received the majority of support from the executive.

Executive chairman Pierre had not submitted a nomination then and had not been among executive support for Encinas.

Incumbent MP Stephen McLashie and Brighton Vessigny councillor Jillon Lewis, who were also nominated, received less support from La Brea’s executive. McLashie and Lewis were screened last Monday but Encinas didn’t turn up for screening.

The screening team rejected McLashie, the incumbent MP, and Lewis, sending the La Brea executive back to get more nominees.

Encinas yesterday said he sent a sick leave certificate to the screening team to confirm his situation. He said he would seek to be screened at the next session. Asked if he would be able to perform the strenuous duties of an MP and heavier work of a minister, Encinas said he was on the mend and his illness wasn’t debilitating.

PNM La Brea officials said Encinas will be renominated as he wasn’t screened.

After La Brea was sent back, former UNC official Obika—who joined PNM in 2023—confirmed he would offer himself for nomination for the seat. Obika, who has Point Fortin roots, was appointed a temporary PNM senator three weeks ago.

Constituency executive chairman Pierre, an international trade consultant, has received endorsement from former MP Hedwidge Bereaux. Pierre said he wishes Encinas speedy recovery. He noted Encinas had contested against him earlier this year for chairmanship of the La Brea executive. Pierre had been vice chairman.

Pierre has support from about 10 party groups so far and more are expected, he said.

Pierre, who had been PNM’s campaign manager for the 2023 Local Government elections, grew up in La Brea. He holds political science and international trade degrees and has been a PNM member for half his life. He’s served on the Youth League and says former deceased MP Fitzgerald Jeffery was his mentor.

Former Point Fortin Mayor Abdon Mason, who recently signalled interest in nomination for La Brea, said he now supports Pierre.

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