#PeterTakeover: Comrades stream into National Arena for installation of new PNP president

Jovan Johnson, Staff Reporter

"A PNP time again. Andrew better watch out!" one excited Comrade declared as she was checked by the security officers before entering the National Arena for a special delegates' conference for the formal installation of Dr Peter Phillips as president of the People's National Party (PNP).

Phillips is scheduled to speak at 1pm.

He will take over from Portia Simpson Miller who has been the president since February 25, 2006.

Orderly entrance lines, police patrols mixed with music and party chants have marked the proceedings so far.

Inside the arena, pastors Dr Alvin Bailey and Dr Michael Harvey prayed for God to lead the discussions.

Harvey, was the Northern Caribbean University academic who was criticised and later punished by the institution for appearing on a PNP stage ahead of the 2016 general elections.

Phillips' ascension to the leadership of the 78-year old party has not been without internal dissent as some Comrades feel he may not be able to match the energy of the Jamaica Labour Party leader Andrew Holness.

But PNP general secretary Julian Robinson has dismissed those saying there's consensus that the 67-year old, who lost two elections for the presidency, is the "right" person at this time.

Infighting and calls for renewal have dominated the party since the 2016 election defeat to the Jamaica Labour Party.

The next major event comes April 2 when Simpson Miller will step down as Opposition Leader, paving the way for Phillips to take on the constitutional role.