PNP gets $2.7 million surprise from LA Lewis

Dancehall entertainer and self-proclaimed 'Emperor' LA Lewis surprised many with a substantial donation at the People's National Party's (PNP) 86th annual conference at the National Stadium in Kingston yesterday.

The self-styled seven-star general stepped on to the stage, pulled a roll of banknotes from his pocket, and proudly announced that he had just donated "$2.odd million" to the socialist party.

"We did make fi give them $1.1 million dollars, but I had some money with it that was for a different thing, but mi end up give away that accidentally. It's all for a good cause, so I gave about 2.7 million dollars," L.A. Lewis said.

The entertainment and marketing practitioner said he decided to contribute to the party because he believes in its policies and is an admirer of one of its former presidents, Portia Simpson Miller.

"Big up Mama, Portia Simpson Miller, because she called me from yesterday and said, 'Emperor, I want you to give your support," L.A. Lewis said.

"As the head of the Nyankepong Maroon sovereign government, we always support the party that care for the people."

According to L.A. Lewis, his connection with the PNP dates back several years.

"I've been always supporting PNP, but I mostly support the leaders. There was a time when I supported Mr [Edward] Seaga, then Portia straight, and now we support the Maroon government and the party leader. We support the movement," he said.

He downplayed the significance of the $2.7 million donation, likening it to his daily acts of charity saying.

"I would call it so much money because that's like a lunch money for me what I give every day to poor people, but the reason why I gave the money is because I like the direction where dem [the PNP] a go. Dem a go in a one direction where they cater for the people."

The PNP, currently led by Mark Golding, last held state power in 2011 but was ousted after one term in 2016. This time around, the party is confident it can end the Jamaica Labour Party's nearly nine-year rule in the upcoming general elections, due by September next year. For L.A. Lewis, victory is a foregone conclusion.

"The PNP is going to take it to this this year, the PNP is going to win this year, the PNP caah lose this year," the entertainer said to the delight of the arena that was overflowing with PNP supporters.