The ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) says recent allegations made by former People’s National Party (PNP) caretaker for Kingston Central Lawrence Rowe indicates “the willingness of the PNP to breach principles of good governance, engage in state capture and employ corrupt means to secure political power.”

Among other claims, Rowe alleged in a social media post on Sunday that the PNP offered him $15 million, a Senate seat and a board position in exchange for his withdrawal as party caretaker in the constituency.

In a news release on Monday, the JLP said Rowe’s claim “reflects the inappropriate judgement and unprincipled approach of the PNP to the business of governance”.

Senior member of the JLP’s Communications Taskforce, Marlon Morgan said: “To compound matters, Rowe’s revelation that he was promised support from the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation in his campaign for the Central Kingston seat and that the PNP General Secretary, Dr Dayton Campbell confirmed that there is no intention to deny him the resources reiterates the PNP’s willingness to use corrupt means to secure political power. KSAMC Chairman and Kingston’s Mayor Andrew Swaby has serious questions to answer following the revelation by Rowe.

“The PNP has serious questions to answer as they have not moved to disavow the allegations made by Lawrence Rowe, nor has the public heard of any legal action being telegraphed or pursued against him for asserting things that are untrue and defamatory,” Morgan continued. “Additionally, if the PNP belatedly challenges the allegations, the public can have no assurance that Lawrence Rowe’s silence going forward has not been bought.”

The JLP spokesperson said the situation presents “an egregious and disturbing proposition of state capture and is an affront to the democratic process in Jamaica.”

Morgan said: “Jamaica is not a banana republic and should never have its best interests undermined by the machinations of a political party that is desperate for state power. This Lawrence Rowe/PNP feud presents yet another reason why the Jamaican people should reject the PNP and ensure that (PNP President) Mark Golding does not come anywhere near the reins of government in this country.”

In a release on Saturday, the PNP announced that it has withdrawn Rowe as its caretaker for Kingston Central.

READ: PNP withdraws Lawrence Rowe as candidate for Kingston Central

The party noted that its leadership has been meeting with Rowe and the constituency executive to emphasise that the constituency’s interests are paramount.