The Progressive Democratic Patriots (PDP) has written to President Paula-Mae Weekes about the appointment of Ancil Dennis as Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA).
Dennis, who was elected to the post on May 6 at a special Plenary Sitting, was sworn in by THA’s Presiding Officer Vanessa Cutting-Thomas and pledged his Oath of Allegiance to the Assembly.
However, he is yet to receive his Oath of Office from the President.
On Monday morning, President’s House confirmed receiving the PDP’s letter but declined to disclose its contents or whether the President is seeking legal advice on the matter.
They also could not say when Dennis will be given his Oath of Office.
While the PDP is willing to acknowledge sending the correspondence to the President, they too will not make its contents public.
“We have decided to give the President time to respond,” the party’s deputy political leader Dr Faith B Yisrael told Guardian Media.
The PDP, led by Minority Leader Watson Duke, challenged Dennis’ appointment. The party argued that the electorate in the Buccoo/Carnbee/Mt Pleasant area voted Dennis, only as an assemblyman, in 2017.
They also argued that the population voted for former Chief Secretary Kelvin Charles, as the leader, in the same election. They said Charles’ loss of the leadership in the People’s National Movement Tobago Council’s internal elections in January, should not affect Tobago’s governance.
On May 6, hours before the special Plenary Sitting was due to take place the PDP attempted to stop the session, warning that if it took place, they will take legal action.