SHAMFA ELECTED NEW POLITICAL LEADER OF PNM TOBAGO
Former Tobago West MP Shamfa Cudjoe-Lewis is the new political leader of the PNM Tobago Council.
It took almost eight hours in a painstaking vote-counting exercise before the former sports minister was declared the winner just after 2 am this morning.
Former Tobago West MP Shamfa Cudjoe-Lewis is the new political leader of the PNM Tobago Council.
It took almost eight hours in a painstaking vote-counting exercise before the former sports minister was declared the winner just after 2 am this morning.
Shamfa wins Tobago PNM leadership: Beats Morris, makes history as second woman, steps into national deputy role
Shamfa Ashaki Cudjoe-Lewis has emerged victorious in the People’s National Movement (PNM) Tobago Island Council elections, defeating former PNM Minority Leader Kelvon Morris to become the political leader of the Tobago arm of the party.
Her win marks a historic moment for the movement, as she becomes only the second woman to hold the post, at a time when the party is seeking to rebuild and reconnect with its base in Tobago and across the wider national landscape.
In a statement issued on Monday, PNM Political Leader Pennelope Beckles described the outcome as a significant step forward for the party, noting that Cudjoe-Lewis now also assumes the role of Deputy Political Leader for Tobago Affairs within the PNM’s national structure.
Beckles pointed to Cudjoe-Lewis’s political experience and readiness to lead, highlighting her role in energising the movement as it re-engages citizens. She also underscored the importance of women’s leadership in shaping the party’s next phase.
Cudjoe-Lewis’s political career began in 2010 when she was appointed to the Senate, becoming the youngest Tobagonian to serve in that capacity at the time. She later went on to serve as Member of Parliament for Tobago West for a decade and held Cabinet portfolios including Tourism, Youth, Sport and Community Development.
Her academic background includes a bachelor’s degree in International
Relations and a master’s in International Trade Policy, along with specialised training in economic development and trade through the World Bank Institute. She also previously served as president of the Tobago Youth Council.
Beckles said this mix of experience positions Cudjoe-Lewis to play a key role in unifying and strengthening the Tobago Island Council moving forward.
The PNM leader also acknowledged Morris for his participation in the internal election, thanking him for his service and contribution to the party.
Congratulations were extended as well to the candidates who secured the other 16 positions contested in the election, along with party members who took part in the process.
With the internal contest now settled, attention is expected to shift to rebuilding efforts within the Tobago arm of the party and preparing for future political battles.— Story by I.A.N News
Cudjoe-Lewis, who contested as an independent candidate, was vying against former minority leader and head of the Team Unity slate, Kelvon Morris.
There was another victory for the independents on the night as Nicole Henry won the position of chairman over Team Unity’s Charles Smith and fellow independent Ryan Joefield.
At the party headquarters this morning, a smiling Cudjoe-Lewis was congratulated by approximately 15 supporters.
It was a similarly low-key affair to nomination day when Cudjoe-Lewis arrived by herself to file her papers, while her opponent had dancers and a large group of supporters.
However, on that day she reminded the public, “My people is Kelvon people, Kelvon people is my people.”
Cudjoe-Lewis was joined in the celebrations by her campaign manager, Garth Benjamin, whom she described as a quiet storm.
She said she was very grateful for her campaign team, which she described as small but very impactful.
“It has been the most fun campaign and just listening to what the grassroots had to say,” she said.
She said her budget-friendly approach was deliberate, as there was not much funding for any fanfare.
“All these folks, for the most part, are volunteers, young people who just wanna see change in the PNM.”
On the large turnout of voters yesterday, which saw ballot papers run out twice at one polling station, Cudjoe-Lewis said the momentum has started.
“A lady called me from Tobago East saying, ‘I had put away my party card but I gonna find it. I have it in some boxes downstairs.’”
She said she feels inspired and intends to start a membership drive to build on the buoyant mood among members.
“We have to make sure our party members know what party groups they are in and get those functioning again. Party groups serve as a little hub, but more so a little family in the community.”
She said all members have a vital role to play in the rebuilding of the party after its defeat in the last Tobago House of Assembly elections.
Ballot counting continues at 10 am today as 15 other positions on the executive are still to be filled.
STEPHON NICHOLAS, GML Tobago Correspondent