Mark Golding on Wednesday officially introduced Steve McGregor as the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) candidate for Kingston Central and told cheering Comrades that the retired senior superintendent of police is a quality contender who will retake the seat from the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) at the next general election.

The announcement came amidst controversy over the seat, triggered by the casting aside of Lawrence Rowe who had been the party’s caretaker in the constituency since 2023, following Imani Duncan-Price’s loss to the JLP’s Donovan Williams in the 2020 General Election.

The controversy erupted after Golding, in a January 4, 2025 letter, told Rowe that the party’s Integrity Committee had not approved him as a fit and proper candidate to contest the election.

That triggered a response from Rowe on social media last weekend stating that he had been ditched after a breakdown in negotiations during which he was offered a place in the Senate, board membership at a housing agency, and $15 million in resources if he willingly walked away from the seat.

However, on Monday the PNP issued a release, dismissing as spurious “allegations relating to monetary offers being circulated by a former candidate, sections of the media, and the JLP”.

On Wednesday, Golding, the PNP president, did not refer to the controversy directly; however, he told supporters at the party’s constituency office on North Avenue in Allman Town, “All shenanigans and things weh a gwaan before, dat cut out now. A real man is here to serve the people.”

Stating that he never knew so many lies could be told “on radio, TV, and social media”, Golding said a “whole heap a little things have been said in the last few days… The party took a decision in the best interest of the people of Kingston Central”.

“We are on a great mission. We are coming to take back this one. I thank each and everyone for coming out tonight to support this transition,” Golding said, adding that there is work to be done for the PNP to secure victory in the next general election.

“The Government can’t give us the change that Jamaica needs. It can’t give the hope that the people crave for. We are going to set up affordable housing for the people, we are going to set up agriculture with a new policy to support farmers in this country, we are going to build our infrastructure so that real value and wealth can be created in this country,” he promised.

“We are going to fix the education system, starting with early childhood development and primary, so when dem start right, dem bright and have a great future ahead of them,” he said.

“We are going to fix the training structures of the country, integrating private sector and the State sector to train our young people for the jobs of today and tomorrow and the future so they can earn good money, providing services the world needs. Jamaicans are stars, we just need to give them the opportunities and the support and they will shine like a diamond,” Golding said.

In relation to McGregor, Golding told the Comrades that he has given them a man of quality, performance, and loyalty to the people.

Noting that McGregor earned the respect of residents during the years he served the constabulary, the PNP president said, “I believe in Steve because Steve has shown what he can do already and he is moving into a new realm of service — service to you the people of Kingston Central. He increases my options for when we form the next Government, so I am very happy to have him on board.”

Meanwhile, McGregor, in an address to the media, declared that he will be the next Member of Parliament for Kingston Central and issued an invitation for Rowe to join his team.

“I am going to be the next MP. This is just the beginning of a journey. I have no issue with the former caretaker. I am going to make an effort to meet with him before this week is out, because he is a Comrade. I am going to ask him to come on board. It is just like in a relay team, he is a part of the team that put the team in the final, but I am the one that is going to carry home the team as the anchor man,” he said.

“If he wants to get a medal, he should stay with the team. This is my destiny. My own service is about leading the people, being a leader, and making examples for people to follow. This is an opportunity for me to do this. This is my calling. The country is thirsty for good leaders. I see myself as a very good candidate. This is just the beginning of a big, big movement onward in making an impact in this country,” McGregor said.

He also had a word for Rowe’s supporters: “Join the love train that is being led by me. Come join me, you are going to be on a winning team.”