Farley vows political war against PNM
A political storm is brewing in Tobago, after Chief Secretary Farley Augustine yesterday accused the People’s National Movement (PNM) of using state agencies to target his team.
The comment came in the wake of the raid on the home of Division of Infrastructure, Quarries and Urban Development Secretary Trevor James on Thursday.
With elections on the horizon, Augustine is now warning Tobagonians to brace for escalating tensions.
Speaking during a media conference with James at the Shaw Park Cultural Complex yesterday, Augustine said, “I really am baffled as to why this heavy-handed operation, save and except, it has the DNA, the fingerprint of the PNM all over it.”
However, Augustine said his team won’t back down from what’s unfolding.
“I am expecting in the coming weeks and months, as the country moves towards a general election, it will get worse. I expect sleepless nights.”
He accused the police and Licensing officers of using extreme force against James while executing a warrant in an investigation of James’ vehicle inspection sticker.
Augustine said he’s certain the PNM is launching another witch hunt against his executive.
“Then it moved to Audiogate, and then it moved to another, and another, and then this. When will this stop?” he asked.
“The rest of the team is prepared to fight this matter to the very end and ensure it comes to a resolution quickly. We don’t intend to allow it to fall by the wayside.”
However, PNM’s Tobago Council leader Ancil Dennis condemned Augustine for turning a police investigation into a political battleground for a third time.
Speaking to Guardian Media, Dennis said the police, as they have done with other politicians in the past, including former PNM officials, have not hesitated to charge, execute warrants and prosecute persons.
He said Tobagonians should focus on the ongoing attention this executive has been receiving from law enforcement.
“No one is above the law in this country. Their usual strategy is to blame the PNM and link any action against them to political victimisation, which is absolutely ridiculous.”
Dennis added that Tobagonians should not be used as a shield for allegations of wrongdoing and should let the chips fall where they may.
Meanwhile, Progressive Democratic Patriots leader Watson Duke had a word of caution for his colleagues.
“Please, take little and live long. Be content with your salary. Do not make deals with people—they will record and out you. Be very careful with your office.”
Duke then called for an early election.
“Why, the constant labelling or fingering them out is concerning Tobago and affecting their credibility. Truth or lie, it is not a good look,” he said.
“I don’t think it is politically motivated. I think for very good reasons, there are people looking at their conduct and listening to their conversations. They have to understand that their conduct must be circumspect now they are in office.”
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