The Tribune

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Staff Repoter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net THE Free National Movement is determined to continue with the nomination of Central and South Eleuthera candidate Howard Johnson despite a possible constitutional challenge, the Tribune has learned. According to well-placed sources on the FNM council, the party was concerned that Mr Johnson would not be eligible to sit in the House of Assembly on the grounds of residency. Mr Johnson was employed at NOVA Southeastern University as an associate lecturer, and it is understood that he did not resign from the post until December last year. According to the FNM's website, Mr Johnson is currently on a sabbatical from the Florida-based university where he was also pursuing a doctorate degree in conflict analysis and resolution. Mr Johnson reportedly enrolled at the university in 2009. The final go-ahead to launch Mr Johnson was given last night at a council meeting, at which time executives were told that Mr Johnson's candidacy issues had been resolved and that a public announcement on the matter would be made. And last night the Prime Minister gave his own endorsement. Speaking at the opening of the Carmichael constituency headquarters, he highlighted the locations the FNM would be visiting in the coming days, adding: "And on Saturday night we will be in Central and South Eleuthera where Howard Johnson will send Damian Gomez packing back to Nassau where he lives." According to article 47 (b) of the constitution, persons eligible for membership in the House of Assembly must be at least 21 years old and ordinarily resident in the country for at least one year immediately before the date of his nomination. The Tribune contacted a number of federal and local agencies in the United States to confirm Mr Johnson's status yesterday; however, due to the country's privacy laws the information is confidential. Elizabeth MP Ryan Pinder came under fire during the area's 2010 bye-elections over concerns that he had not revoked his US citizenship prior to being nominated by the Progressive Liberal Party. Mr Pinder narrowly defeated his FNM challenger Dr Duane Sands following an election court ruling in March of that year.