Outgoing MP for Laventille West Nileung Hypolite is warning that given the heated election season, be wary of those bearing gifts. Hypolite make the comment during Shouter Baptist celebrations held at the St John’s Ambulance Hall at Wrightson Road in Port-of-Spain yesterday. “This is an election period and I say to you all I am counting down my time. I have just ten more weeks to stand, to sit and to chat with you all as Member of Parliament for Laventille West.
“Balisier House would have decided who they prefer as their choice to represent Laventille West. But I say to you all be wise, open your eyes and open your mind,” Hypolite added. Asked by members of the media to clarify his statements Hypolite said he was not alluding to anyone or anything.
“I was just speaking to the people. Just to let them know that elections are here and they need to open their minds and eyes...that’s all,” Hypolite said.
Press further he said it was an election period and many would be approaching the population bearing gifts. “Not everything presented to you is gold,” he added. During his speech Hypolite also urged that whichever government came into power they should grant the Baptist community a place where they could call their own. “Which ever party comes into power should make sure in a year or two that Spiritual Baptists can congregate in a large area that they could call their home,” Hypolite added.
Attorney General Garvin Nicholas, who also addressed the crowd, described himself as the “voice” who was chosen to speak to the Baptist people. He said as he sat waiting his turn to speak he was “filled with the spirit of the Baptist community.” Saying that the Spiritual Baptist community had come a long way, Nicholas said nothing came without a struggle.