Wickham: No proof Govt trying to disqualify Dujon

Political analyst Peter Wickham is sceptical of the opposition party’s claim that attempts are being made to disqualify Democratic Labour Party (DLP) candidate Felicia Dujon from the upcoming St James North by-election.

Wickham suggested that Opposition Leader Ralph Thorne may be trying to ignite a controversy where none exists.

Thorne, who leads the DLP, recently claimed on DLP TV that efforts were being made by public officials to block Dujon’s candidacy— either due to her nationality or questions about her residency.

He defended her eligibility, noting that she is a Barbadian citizen, married to a Barbadian, and the mother of two Bajan-born children.

“We reject any effort to disqualify Felicia Dujon from contesting this election by a government that is so desperate to maintain a 29-1 Parliament,” Thorne said.

However, Wickham told Barbados TODAY that there is no credible threat to her candidacy and no indication that the ruling Barbados Labour Party (BLP) or election officials have challenged her eligibility.

“I get the impression that Thorne is trying to make it an issue, but as far as I know, it’s not an issue to anyone,” he said.

“It wouldn’t be the first time that a Saint Lucian has sat in Parliament. If you remember correctly, former Prime Minister David Thompson was married to a Saint Lucian who became a Barbadian citizen in the same way Felicia Dujon did, and she served as Member of Parliament for St John.”

Wickham noted that Barbadian law only requires a candidate to be a citizen of Barbados, regardless of dual nationality.

“She’s a Barbadian citizen, she’s entitled to run, and that’s it. She may not necessarily win, but for reasons entirely unrelated to her nationality,” he said. “No one has ever made an issue of it — not the government… not the ruling party. So I’m not sure where Thorne got it from.”

Wickham acknowledged there were questions about Dujon’s claim of living in the constituency for 15 years but noted those concerns relate to perception, not eligibility.

“Apparently, people on the ground are saying they had no knowledge that she lived there. But that’s a different matter from saying she’s not Barbadian. It’s not a disqualifying factor under the law.”

He also described the situation as an attempt to stir emotion in the absence of a real issue, stating, “Honestly, Ralph Thorne is looking for things to throw and to see what sticks — and that’s probably one of them. It’s a non-issue.”

The pollster further applauded Dujon’s cross-regional candidacy as a mark of Caribbean integration.

“She’s going down historically as one of very few people who have run in elections in two different countries. That’s what CARICOM is about,” he said. (SM)