Duke not fit to run for THA elections, Rowley declares

Rowley, addressing supporters at the Cyd Gray Stadium, Roxborough, Tobago, referred to political leader of the Progressive Democratic Patriots (PDP), Watson Duke, who is accused of rape.

The PDP is one of three political parties challenging the ruling PNM for control of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) in next Monday’s election. Rowley issued a stern warning to Tobagonians who are supporting the PDP in the election.

“Any or all of you in Tobago who will vote for one of us, a Tobagonian, who is on a rape charge, you is somebody to watch,” he stressed, adding that those people will have to justify their actions.

Duke, president of the Public Services Association (PSA), is on five charges relating to an allegation of rape and indecent assault made by a young woman last year.

On Sunday, Rowley devoted much of his address to Duke’s suitability as a candidate in the THA election. He said the fact that Duke has been charged disqualifies him from getting a vote in Tobago “as a person who want to represent you.” “And, if you don’t see that, then clearly you are subscribing to principles unknown to Tobagonians,” he said. Rowley again warned Tobagonians.

“I am saying to you here in Roxborough where Watson is running for a seat, you have a responsibility to subscribe to the higher standards of Tobago decency and to say to Watson Duke, ‘No thanks.’” He said if Duke is convicted on the charges, “it will