Farley Augustine and his Tobago People’s Party (TPP) administration have been sworn in to lead the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) for a second four-year term following the party’s sweeping election victory.

Augustine, who returns as Chief Secretary, along with 15 assemblymen and three councillors, took their oaths of office during a special sitting of the THA Legislature on January 15.

Niall George, Assemblyman for Signal Hill/Patience Hill, was sworn in as the new presiding officer of the Assembly, replacing Abby Taylor, who did not contest the election. 

Niketa Percy, Assemblyman for Canaan/Bon Accord, was appointed deputy presiding officer.

Petal-Ann Roberts, Ackel Franklyn and Adanna Joseph-Wallace were named as government councillors.

With the TPP winning all 15 seats, there are no opposition assemblymen in the Legislature, resulting in the office of Minority Leader remaining vacant.

President Christine Kangaloo congratulated Augustine and the TPP candidates, noting that the result marked only the second time in the THA’s history that a single party had won every seat, and the first time a party secured all 15 assembly seats.

“No amount of sophistry can diminish its magnitude. It was an unqualified and emphatic registration of the democratic will of the people of Tobago,” Kangaloo said.

The President also welcomed the voter turnout of 50.69 per cent, which are contrary to claims circulating on social media that turnout had fallen as low as 23 per cent following the People’s National Movement’s second consecutive defeat in Tobago.

While acknowledging that higher participation is always desirable, Kangaloo said the mandate delivered by Tobagonians was clear and historic.

“The desire of the people of Tobago is clear, and the mandate that has been given to members of this Assembly is historic,” she said.

Kangaloo thanked all candidates who offered themselves for public service.

She confirmed that the office of Minority Leader will be vacant and that she will proceed in accordance with the provisions of the THA Act, taking into account the absence of an opposition.

As a result, any provision of the THA Act requiring consultation with a Minority Leader will not apply for as long as the position remains unfilled.