Jack Warner is back in T&T politics and is expected to make his candidacy official later on Friday afternoon, as he shares why he chose to return to the political arena.
Warner will be holding a media conference at about 3 pm, at which time he will make official his candidacy for the constituency of Lopinot/Bon Air West, in the upcoming 2020 General Election, on August 10th.
The media conference will take place at his constituency office, at #135 Eastern Main Road, Arouca.
According to a media release issued by his party—the Independent Liberal Party (ILP)—Warner will take a moment to speak on the duty of a Member of Parliament and his performance as a past Minister of National Security and Minister of Works and Transport, which he describes as “exemplary”, “so much so that even today his views and advice continue to be sought”.
“This is an opportunity for you to hear his reasons for choosing to return to electoral politics and share a bit on his vision, goals and strategies,” the release stated.
77-year-old Warner is expected to file his nomination papers on Friday morning under the ILP, which he founded in 2013, after breaking away from the Kamla Persad-Bissessar-led People’s Partnership.
Elections record
Warner was elected Chaguanas West MP in 2010, under the PP, and won the seat again in 2013 in a by-election as the ILP candidate, which he triggered when he resigned the seat after he was fired by Persad-Bissessar.
Warner, lost the Chaguanas West seat in 2015 to the United National Congress’ Ganga Singh.
FIFA troubles
Warner is currently fighting extradition to the US on alleged corruption charges that stem from his role as vice president of FIFA.
He was implicated in a bribery scandal and suspended by FIFA before resigning in 2011.
In 2013, a Concacaf integrity report claimed Warner had committed fraud and the then prime minister Persad-Bissessar fired him over the allegations.
In 2015, Warner (along with several other FIFA officials who were arrested in Zurich before the annual FIFA Congress) was charged in the United States with “wire fraud, racketeering, and money laundering.”
FIFA also banned him for life.
In April this year, Warner dismissed an Associated Press report on new details of the alleged bribes, including that he received US$5 million to support Russia’s winning bid for the 2018 World Cup.
The US indictment also accuses Warner and other former FIFA executives of committing fraud to secure votes for Qatar to host the 2022 World Cup.
