Comrades Threaten to Go Green in Protest over Rowe’s Ousting in Central Kingston

People’s National Party, PNP, supporters in Central Kingston are vowing to paint the party’s constituency office green and withhold their votes if Lawrence Rowe is not reinstated as caretaker.

This follows official word from the party on the weekend confirming that Rowe would no longer be its standard-bearer.

Rowe says PNP President Mark Golding has promised him $15 million in resources along with a seat in the senate and appointment to a government board, if he goes quietly.

Colliecia Wright reports.

Last Monday, January 6, Rowe denied claims that his party was making efforts to remove him from the seat. He went as far as to tell our news centre, on the record that he was secure in his position in the buildup to the next general election.

However, since his removal on the weekend, Rowe’s own posts on social media have indicated that efforts to remove him through the PNP’s National Campaign Committee were underway from as early as December 27, 2024.

The PNP’s disclosure that Rowe would no longer be its standard-bearer in Central Kingston came on January 11.

In a letter to Rowe, party president Mark Golding noted that he did not get favourable feedback from influential comrades in the constituency.

He said the assessment was that Rowe could not unify the party machinery in the constituency. But news of Rowe’s removal has not gone down well with some PNP supporters in Central Kingston.

Another male supporter described Rowe as a “real yout” who has earned the respect of constituents.

A female PNP supporter agrees.

Another supporter says he understands that at least four other people have been shortlisted for a selection contest. He says none will get the support of comrades.

Rowe won a selection contest to serve as PNP caretaker in July 2023, beating his rival Patrick Sterling by over 100 votes.

Meanwhile, some supporters of the governing Jamaica Labour Party, JLP, believe Lawrence Rowe gives the PNP the best chance to win Central Kingston at the next general election.

Other labourites are questioning Rowe’s removal.

JLP supporters speaking with Nationwide News.

Colliecia Wright contributed to this report.