So what’s next?

Otitoju is alarmed that there does not appear to be any interest in an investigation into the Landow-Cannonier relationship. We share that sentiment.

As far as we could determine, the governing One Bermuda Alliance party knew as much about Craig Cannonier’s contacts with Nathan Landow as the general public did through his reluctant revelations to Bermuda’s parliament.

Now we should all know a little more.

The party will be sorely tested in the coming weeks and months as it considers the implications of “Selling Bermuda.”

And it will be pressured to act.

Hopefully, that pressure will be as much from within the OBA as from its political adversaries.

Because in the end, it boils down to institutional integrity. The OBA rank and file may well want to revisit its stated core values because defending those values is critical at a time like this.

Here’s a list of some of the directly relevant ones:

• Transparency We are committed to transparency, open government and reform. We will hold ourselves to the highest ethical and moral standards and always act in the manner that provides the greatest good for all Bermudians.
• Integrity. We will have a zero tolerance policy towards abuse of public office. We will ensure that no conflict arises, or could reasonably be perceived to arise, between our public duties and our private interests, financial or otherwise.
• Service. We will put Bermuda first, above the OBA and individuals with ties to the OBA. We will work for the benefit of all Bermuda’s people. Our job is to fulfill the expectations of those who have honoured us with their trust.

Core values are a guide to action, especially in a time of crisis. They answer the question “who are we and what do we stand for, as individuals and as an institution?”

What if your leader(s) violate your core values? What if the core values of your institution – your workplace, your church, or your political party – are violated by its leaders?

What do you do?

These are questions every citizen should reflect on.

If the integrity of the OBA is to be defended, its rank and file members must demand an internal investigation into the handling of Nathan Landow’s interest in Bermuda. They must demand full disclosure from their Leader.  And they must tell the public of the party’s findings and decisions.

The outcome may well be detrimental to the Premier and to the party’s hold on power.

But the OBA would have demonstrated an institutional integrity of a kind not seen of a Bermuda political party in a number of years, if ever.

And the public’s interest in this matter would have, finally, been well served.

Alternatively, the OBA – as an institution – could sink to the depths plumbed by some of its supporters and engage in efforts to discredit our work on “Selling Bermuda” by attempting to assassinate my character with spurious allegations of improper motives.

It could choose to respond by instructing its lawyers to seek an injunction to shut down this website or institute proceedings against this editor.

Or it could bury its brain in the sand and hope it all goes away.

My ancestors and I are awaiting the OBA’s decision. As are the people of Bermuda.

Ayo Johnson, editor and publisher

This article belongs to Politica ! The original article can be found here: After “Selling Bermuda”

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