By KEILE CAMPBELL and LYNAIRE MUNNINGS

Tribune Staff Reporters

FORMER Junkanoo Corporation of New Providence (JCNP) chairman Silbert Ferguson claimed yesterday that Junkanoo groups have unanimously agreed to withdraw from the annual parades if the Davis administration insists that both Valley Boys factions be allowed to compete in the main category of the parades.

His comment came as the status of the parades remained uncertain yesterday amid silence from the Junkanoo Corporation of New Providence (JCNP) and the government.

JCNP chairman Dion Miller, who first revealed that the parades may be cancelled, did not confirm or deny Mr Ferguson’s comment, but during a brief interview with The Tribune yesterday, he said he takes “instructions from the groups”.

“I work for the groups, I was elected by the groups, I speak on behalf of the groups,” he said.

Mr Ferguson said alternative venues and events are being considered if the government does not meet the groups’ demands.

“We will rush somewhere else without them,” he said, emphasising the need to preserve autonomy.

Yesterday, the JCNP postponed a scheduled press conference for the second day in a row, citing “further developing situations”.

Mr Ferguson noted that while the JCNP cannot unilaterally cancel Junkanoo, the collective withdrawal of groups would nullify the event. 

He also dismissed Attorney General Ryan Pinder’s warning about the legal and financial risks of allowing only one faction of the Valley Boys to participate. 

“He said we can’t exclude one group because it might expose the government to risks, but we follow our rules,” he said.

Accusing the government of political interference, Mr Ferguson claimed the controversy stems from favouritism toward Trevor Davis’ faction, and he noted that Mr Davis is the brother of Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis.

“If this were any other group, this wouldn’t be an issue,” he said.

The Valley Boys conflict has grabbed headlines throughout the year. Trevor Davis, the Way Forward leader, has said the division centres around concerns about how the organisation had been running over the years, including the lack of an election.