Samuda's supporters displeased with announcement he will not seek re-election

Although they were aware of his impending retirement as member of Parliament for St Andrew North Central, supporters of Karl Samuda say it should come after the next general election, which is constitutionally due by September next year.

According to them, this would assure a resounding victory for the JLP.

"Mi nuh feel good how him step dung, election shudda run first before him step dung, without him, wi nuh know di next man and people gweh no vote fi him and all a dat so better Samuda did run first, and den dem mek him step down," Christopher Hunter told The Gleaner.

Meanwhile, although she is confident of a JLP victory as Samuda's constituency is a JLP "strong hold", Dacia Ellis said she was disgruntled with how his resignation announcement was made.

Dr Horace Chang, JLP general secretary stated at a press conference on Thursday that Samuda would not be seeking re-election.

Samuda subsequently shared that he was "surprised" at the announcement.

"The comment caught me totally off guard," said Samuda, 82, the joint longest-serving parliamentarian in Jamaica's history.

Ellis shared similar sentiments.

"Dem cya tell him when fi step dung and when fi step up, a wi a him people dem, a weh wi seh stand, a nuh weh di party seh stand," she said.

"Dem supposed to call mi boss and talk to him, him nuh suppose to just out. Dem cudda call him and seh mek wi talk like big man," she added.

But while lauding Samuda for his work in the constituency, Tratara Moodie, a 31-year-old supporter from Whitehall said it is time for someone else to represent the constituency.

"He has to step down and give somebody else a chance," she said.

- Sashana Small

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