UDP Chairmanship Race Heats Up

The United Democratic Party’s national convention has descended into a high-stakes showdown. The race for party chairman is splitting the party into rival camps and exposing fractures that threaten the promise of “unity.”

John Saldivar, returning after years of scandal, claimed his experience gives him the edge.”I think the party needs my skills, my talent, and what I have to offer in terms of experience and knowing how to organise and how to get this party back on the street,” Saldivar said. “The delegates recognise my talents, and they want me back… I am the one with the most experience winning, losing, and organising, and that is what the party needs right now.”

Saldivar argued he can heal divisions and bring all sides together and utterly dismissed the recent leaked WhatsApp messages as isolated incidents.

Sheena Pitts comes in with the backing of incoming leader Tracy Panton and rejected the notion of internal turmoil. “I have not seen the turmoil you speak of,” she told our News 5 reporter currently on the ground covering the convention. “Today is about the will of the delegates and the right person for the right reason. I’m saying I’m that right person… I am committed to unification.”

Roosevelt Blades comes in strong with the full public backing of Mesopotamia representative and top party financier Lee Mark Chang. Chang’s open support triggered a series of back-and-forth messages in a WhatsApp group. The messages captured delegates accusing each other of greed, betrayal, and backstabbing, the focus of the exchange was the role of the pary’s chairmanship.

Blades dismissed the drama. He told News 5, “I have the winning formula… I am the only campaign manager in the UDP that has won so many conventions and elections.” Blades warned that the youth vote must be reenergised and promised to modernise the party if elected.

With Tracy Panton endorsed as party leader and other top posts uncontested, the chairmanship vote now dominates attention.

Today will test whether the UDP can emerge “united” or fractured even further under the weight of controversy.