The governing United National Congress (UNC) in Trinidad and Tobago has denied that it gave a mandate to entertainer and local government councillor John Michael Alibocus, also known as Makamillion, to influence or campaign in Saint Lucia’s upcoming elections.
According to the Trinidad Guardian, the controversy stemmed from a video circulating online showing Makamillion performing in Saint Lucia wearing a UNC T-shirt and using the party slogan “Yellow is the Code”.
This slogan has been used by the UNC since 2023, and is now being utilised in Saint Lucia by the United Workers Party (UWP) during their campaign.
The footage also reportedly included him promoting the UWP and its leader Allen Chastanet.
In addition, a voice note, apparently from Makamillion, had suggested he was “mandated” to travel to Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent to campaign to spread the message as both countries head to the polls on December 1 and November 27, respectively.
UNC PRO Kirk Meighoo also denied that any government directive was given.
In an interview, Acting Foreign Affairs Minister Barry Padarath rejected any suggestion that Makamillion was sent on behalf of the government. “I have no idea what Mr Makamillion is speaking of in terms of a mandate from anyone, whether it is a government or the Cabinet,” he said.
“The Honourable Prime Minister…. indicated very clearly that we do not interfere in the elections of any sovereign nation. However, we cannot restrict our members.”
He noted that many of the Caribbean countries use the same colours as Trinidad and Tobago in terms of representative politics: red and yellow.
“‘Yellow is the code’ was something that really was catchy throughout the entire general election campaign. We have been utilising that slogan since the local government election in 2023. So, I think Mr Makamillion has found fans throughout the Caribbean, and they thought, maybe, as part of their campaign, it may work for them as well. But there was no mandate from anyone in the government with respect to that issue.”
He added that individual entertainers remain free to express themselves or perform.
Padarath also stressed the importance of respecting the will of voters in each country. He said election outcomes must reflect the will of the people, not external influence.
“We have seen in the region where other Caribbean leaders have taken that path. That is not the direction in which we are following at all. It must be the will of the people, whether it is St Lucia, St Vincent, wherever it is, and therefore we will not participate in anything to be an obstacle to the will of the people in those nations, in those countries.”
He did note, however, “we also cannot stop entertainers from participating in any other medium, whether it is an election or concert, or whatever it is.”
Meantime, Trinidad and Tobago Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles argued the optics were troubling. She pointed to prior statements by Housing Minister Anil Roberts that Vincentian Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves and his family had owned state-subsidised homes from the Housing Development Corporation in Victoria Keyes in Trinidad, and questioned whether this could be viewed as indirect involvement in St Vincent’s election process.
Chastnet and his party chastise people with autism..so sad
This is not about bringing in people to campaign who know nothing about the country. Entertainment? Really? trying to fool gullible people as usual…smh