Bow out and retire with grace or risk destroying your legacy and fuelling problems in the PNM.
That’s the advice PNM Tobago West chairman Stanford Callender is giving former party leader Patrick Manning after Manning said on Monday he was open to being nominated for the seat.
Callender said yesterday: “The party does not belong to Mr Manning. He has no right to the party. It’s for all of us. You must know when you have served and allow others to do the same.”
PNM general secretary Ashton Ford said if nominated, Manning would face the screening team as he was entitled to contest if he wished.
But Callender, who was Tobago West MP in Manning’s Government and worked with Manning as minister of state in the prime minister’s office, was angry at the development with Manning’s decision, saying it would prevent the PNM from growing and expanding.
Callender said: “I’m also saddened when I listen to what is emerging with our former leader and prime minister. I am concerned he is in a state of denial and I hope something can get him out of that.
“One of the problems I have with regional personalities is that they don’t know when to leave the scene.
“My former leader is on course to destroy what remains of his legacy. There’s no denying he has served T&T well and the nation delights in his contribution but there comes a time when you have to move on and those encouraging him in this foolishness are not doing him any favours.”
“In fact they are being very unkind to him. I, however, would want to wish him well on his retirement from public life. Let the man go and relax. It makes me sad as a PNMite for what he’s putting himself through.
“There must be a time when you have to go. This is my problem with some in the region who don’t understand that and try to hold on but they have served and must bow out with grace,” Callender said.
“I heard him say he has been a leader and knows how to follow but having gone through that stage, he is not following anyone but his own inclination now.”
Asked what impact Manning’s decision will have on the party, Callender said: “It will cause the PNM problems. There should be a smooth transition.”