Leader of the Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP) Ashworth Jack says the resignation of party chairman Lionel Coker is a wake-up call for the party to “buckle down and move on.” Coker, who was a member of the party since its inception in 2008 and served as party organiser and subsequently chairman, resigned because of “personal inconveniences,” Jack said in a telephone interview yesterday. He said Coker was an extremely hard worker and extended best wishes to him in his future endeavours.
News of Coker’s resignation came hours after news that Lyndira Oudit had also resigned as Senate vice president and UNC member. These latest resignations come in the wake of former national security minister Jack Warner’s victory in the July 29 by-election in Chaguanas West, defeating the UNC’s candidate Khadijah Ameen. Warner was a former UNC chairman.
Yesterday, Jack said politics offered little gratitude for hard work and was dynamic. Coker’s departure was an appropriate time “for us to start rebuilding the organisation,” he said, adding that the party must not revolve around any one member. He said he was sure when the time came for him to go, the party would continue in the best interest of the people of Tobago.
The TOP, however, remains divided and has been unable to hold elections for a new executive months after they were due because of a proposal for a one-man, one-vote system. Elections under the new system were blocked by a court order obtained by two members.