Marigot: --- The Collectivity of St. Martin will be holding an internal election in the Territorial Council to re-elect another president tomorrow (Tuesday May 5th). This comes on the heels of the annulment of the election of Frantz Gumbs by the State Council who was elected president on August 7th 2008.The State Council issued its ruling on April 10th 2009 after the RRR party and former first vice president Marthe Ogoundele Tessi filed a complaint against the election of 2008 when they realized the majority used pre-printed ballots to elect Gumbs to his presidential seat.
It is understood that Gumbs will be the only candidate postulating for the seat. However, that can change since the other possible candidates have remained tight-lipped thus far.
SMN News also understands that Marthe Ogoundele Tessi might also present even if she does not get the support from the majority or the opposition. Sources close to the councilor said she would present just to send a message to the ruling party. Efforts made to obtain a statement from Ogoundele Tessi have proved futile thus far.
Sources said the former first vice president is extremely angry after she received an anonymous letter telling her she made mistake with the UPP party. It is said in the unsigned letter Ogoundele Tessi was offered a position in the executive council if she does not present as a candidate. The detailed letter it is said went into the breakdown of the territorial council and basically telling Ogoundele Tessi she is not needed. SMN News also understands that the territorial councilor also received an anonymous letter last year prior to the presidential election on August 7th.
SMN News has been reliably informed that other councilors including Jean David Richardson also received an anonymous letter telling him that Ogoundele Tessi would be a candidate and he needed to weigh his options. The source said Richardson received the letter on Thursday which was sent to his place of employment and he immediately filed a complaint with the gendarmerie. It is said this is the second anonymous letter Richardson received which made him somewhat angry. Richardson could not be reached for comment up to press time.
Other sources said Ogoundele Tessi has been in discussions with the UPP party and she might be given back her position as first vice president where she would continue to deal with the education portfolio. SMN News understands that Ogoundele Tessi would be meeting with the majority today to further discuss her options and the councilor should be putting her cards on the table in today's meeting.
As the date for the internal election nears several persons in the community has been saying that the UPP is fully divided and that the fourth vice president may also be a candidate in Tuesday's election. Already interim president Daniel Gibbs was on the radio clearing the air saying he is not a candidate in the May 5th election. It is understood that it was also rumored that Gibbs was also interested in the presidential position.
