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President of the People's National Party (PNP) and Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller claims that she was not informed that Vice President Peter Phillips is challenging her for the presidency.
Not officially informed
A release from Mrs. Simpson Miller on Monday afternoon stated that she only heard the reports of the challenge through the media.
She said she has received several calls from Comrades of the Party and from citizens that Dr. Phillips has made known his intention to resuscitate his candidacy for the office of leader.
According to Mrs. Simpson Miller she has not heard directly from Dr. Phillips.
She added that while she supports the democratic right of any member to aspire to any elected position in the party, there are proper channels.
"The People's National Party has an enviable reputation for internal democracy. This is however the first time in our history that a sitting president of the party is being challenged and in the year of our 70th anniversary no less," said Mrs. Simpson Miller.
"This challenge, should it materialize, would also come at a time when all the polls have reflected what has been widely known for several months, that the people of Jamaica has determined that the current administration is grossly incapable of meeting their needs," she continued.
Portia up for the challenge
Mrs. Simpson Miller says the team she leads is up to the task of meeting the impending challenge, when Dr. Phillips is ready.
RJR News asked Mrs. Simpson Miller if she felt hurt by the reports she heard in the media about Dr. Phillips' challenge.
"I am going to address, in a more fulsome way, by the end of the week at a meeting I will be addressing of party supporters...I will deal with it then," she said.
She added that once the battle for leadership is settled they will all be free to refocus their attention on continuing the development of Jamaica.
Dr. Peter Phillips threw his hat in the ring for the race for President of the PNP on Sunday at the Harbour View Primary School.
He said an official launch is to come at a later date.
Comrades call for change in leadership
Meanwhile, some PNP parliamentarians believe there is need for better leadership in the party
Addressing supporters in East Rural St. Andrew Sunday night, Maxine Henry-Wilson asserted that if the Party is to do better in future elections then there is need for a change in leadership.
Her Parliamentary Colleague Fitz Jackson who also expressed his support for Dr. Peter Phillips in his bid for the Presidency of the PNP told supporters that the Party needs a more effective leader.
"Comrades, Jamaica needs us more than before. Jamaica needs us to provide the quality organization, Jamaica needs us to provide the quality political leadership, Jamaica needs us to provide that intellectual insight that can analyse the problems that confront us, that can mobilize the creative minds of the Jamaican people to tackle the problems that confront us," said Mr. Jackson.
Not officially informed
A release from Mrs. Simpson Miller on Monday afternoon stated that she only heard the reports of the challenge through the media.
She said she has received several calls from Comrades of the Party and from citizens that Dr. Phillips has made known his intention to resuscitate his candidacy for the office of leader.
According to Mrs. Simpson Miller she has not heard directly from Dr. Phillips.
She added that while she supports the democratic right of any member to aspire to any elected position in the party, there are proper channels.
"The People's National Party has an enviable reputation for internal democracy. This is however the first time in our history that a sitting president of the party is being challenged and in the year of our 70th anniversary no less," said Mrs. Simpson Miller.
"This challenge, should it materialize, would also come at a time when all the polls have reflected what has been widely known for several months, that the people of Jamaica has determined that the current administration is grossly incapable of meeting their needs," she continued.
Portia up for the challenge
Mrs. Simpson Miller says the team she leads is up to the task of meeting the impending challenge, when Dr. Phillips is ready.
RJR News asked Mrs. Simpson Miller if she felt hurt by the reports she heard in the media about Dr. Phillips' challenge.
"I am going to address, in a more fulsome way, by the end of the week at a meeting I will be addressing of party supporters...I will deal with it then," she said.
She added that once the battle for leadership is settled they will all be free to refocus their attention on continuing the development of Jamaica.
Dr. Peter Phillips threw his hat in the ring for the race for President of the PNP on Sunday at the Harbour View Primary School.
He said an official launch is to come at a later date.
Comrades call for change in leadership
Meanwhile, some PNP parliamentarians believe there is need for better leadership in the party
Addressing supporters in East Rural St. Andrew Sunday night, Maxine Henry-Wilson asserted that if the Party is to do better in future elections then there is need for a change in leadership.
Her Parliamentary Colleague Fitz Jackson who also expressed his support for Dr. Peter Phillips in his bid for the Presidency of the PNP told supporters that the Party needs a more effective leader.
"Comrades, Jamaica needs us more than before. Jamaica needs us to provide the quality organization, Jamaica needs us to provide the quality political leadership, Jamaica needs us to provide that intellectual insight that can analyse the problems that confront us, that can mobilize the creative minds of the Jamaican people to tackle the problems that confront us," said Mr. Jackson.
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