BVI News

I’m not an accidental Premier!

Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley. (GIS Photo)

Although he has urged elected leaders and residents to put the elections behind them, Premier Natalio Wheatley recently hit back at his detractors who referred to him as “the accidental Premier” on the campaign trail leading up to the April 24 general elections.

Premier Wheatley has constantly called for the community to desist from gossiping and name-calling, adding that he is often subjected to harsh criticism from residents who frequent local social media platforms.

He said he wasn’t bothered by the “accidental Premier” label but pointed out that it contrasts with his God-given destiny to be a leader among his people.

“During the campaign, I was referred to as ‘the accidental Premier‘. I don’t refer to it because I wasn’t bothered in any way. Those things are part of the campaign and that is indeed over now,” Premier Wheatley stated during the reopening ceremony for the House of Assembly.

He added: “It is in striking contrast to the fundamental conviction of my life — my life is based on a purpose. The creator of the universe knew me before I was in my mother’s womb. The creator has plans for me. He gave me gifts, intellect, a compassionate heart for the people and gave me the opportunity to serve my people,” the Premier posited.

Wheatley became the so-called “accidental Premier” because while serving as Deputy Premier under the Fahie administration, he was pushed into the role of Premier after Andrew Fahie was arrested on drug-related charges in the US in 2022.

At the time, Dr Wheatley became the youngest in Virgin Islands history to assume the role of Premier. 

But some sections of the community held the view that Premier Wheatley had not rightfully earned the position of Premier because he wasn’t appointed after an election. However, all of that changed in April this year, when the VIP won the single most seats in the general election and Dr Wheatley was once again named Premier after the VIP formed a coalition government with Lorna Smith.

Shares

Copyright 2024 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.

28 Comments

Disclaimer: BVI News and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the comments below or other interaction among the users.

  1. Jim says:

    Well, yes you were and still are.

    Appointing yourself to the position when Fahie was busted was undemocratic. You essentially made yourself a bully tyrant. So whine all you want dwelling upon the past.

    Buck and man up, put on your big boy pants and fix the BVI before the U.K. decides to take us over. Because you haven’t been a force of change to make things better.

    They are coming.

    Like 33
    Dislike 18
  2. Yep says:

    Well you became Premier because Fahie got arrested the first time. You became Premier the second time because of wicked and deceitful Lorna Smith crossing over. So yea, accidental Premier sounds about right.

    Like 45
    Dislike 15
  3. I will quicker call you says:

    A WASTE AH TIME

    Like 23
    Dislike 4
  4. OH YEAH says:

    DELILAH MADE YOU AN ACCIDENTAL PREMIER AGAIN

    Like 32
    Dislike 8
  5. @jim says:

    Well said sir, still is, still haven’t won one on his own. Had the right thing been done, call elections he formed a government with the likes of #2 and #9 who just wanted to be called minister. He might be s**w but have a lot more sense than most of them.

    Like 8
    Dislike 3
  6. Just the facts says:

    During the opening of the House I heard him thanking everybody except Lorna Smith. That is who he should be thanking right after thanking God.

    Like 24
    Dislike 2
  7. The light says:

    If he was, then so was Ralph when Lavity died in the 90’s.

    If he still is, then so was CB when Willard stepped aside in the 80’s.

    Do you agree with any of the two statements above?

    Like 9
    Dislike 13
  8. @jim says:

    Well said sir, still is, still haven’t won one on his own. Had the right thing been done, call elections he formed a government with the likes of #2 and #9 who just wanted to be called minister. He might be slow but have a lot more sense than most of them.

    Like 1
    Dislike 2
  9. @Jim says:

    Correction 2 and 8.

  10. Faith Maduro-Powell says:

    There are more for you than those that Hate you out of jealousy. You have accomplished more than they ever will in their lifetime. Stay focus, Dr. the Hon. Natalio Wheatley.

    Like 16
    Dislike 20
  11. LB says:

    Ralph went on to win on his resoundingly on multiple occasions.

    We saw what happened to CB who was unable to serve his full term. So yes he is still an accidental premier.

    Like 13
    Dislike 3
  12. oh lord says:

    Yes you are. Who you trying to fool?

    Like 15
  13. Styles. says:

    Natalie, you still haven’t done anything for this country. Schools are broken, roads are crap, incinerator isn’t working properly and garbage is still being burned, the hospital is stuck in the 80’s the airport was shut for whatever reason.

    Stop talking and take action and fix at least something. Until you actually fix something you’re just an accidental premier.

    Oh, and stop crying finally.

    Like 23
  14. @LB says:

    Try to remove your option from facts.
    Ralph was deputy, so took top position upon LS passing.
    Yes, he won his district so then became chief by ay of election.
    CB was not in politics before running for district 5.
    He was in fact, the first local financial secretary for government.
    He won the district as an independent and used that to negotiate top position. History making stuff at the time.
    CB called a snap election as chief minister, in which he retained his district.
    The election changed government and CB became leader of opposition.
    CB brought more to the BVI than any other leader. Including the IBC act (allowing Trust company work) the cruise ship industry, improving travel to BVI, etc…
    Give the man a few flowers.

    Like 4
    Dislike 3
  15. Lol says:

    God given destiny. Have heard some bull but this is the best

  16. Guest says:

    You are the Premier.

    Like 3
    Dislike 4
  17. Taxpayer says:

    I don’t know anyone who voted for you.

    Like 8
    Dislike 1
  18. WEW says:

    An accident waiting to happen.

    Like 9
    Dislike 2
  19. You are says:

    Sl** man who are you trying to convince, yourself or the readers. Read this mr accident you are one no confident motion away. Every no confident motion that you face you will have sleepless night wondering will this be it. Come on Frazier time already.

  20. Hmm says:

    Don’t worry with anyone. The opposition wish they could be called that. If the opposition had joined would you called whoever get their premier job accidental??

  21. lol says:

    The opposition made you what you are when they snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. Say thank you to three greedy men that could not agree and the one quick thinking lady. The voters did not want you or your party but the opposition showed us they were far from ready. Do your do Showande. Enough talk now time for the proof.

  22. @the light says:

    True. However Ralph also went on and outright won the election with his party.

  23. Shame!!!!!! says:

    But they done coming u anit see the two men from uk was looking and laughing at him. He need to stop looking favor and try fix it uk done have he like a puppet on a string.

  24. @fix says:

    Which God as a person that he is treating people bad know God that’s not of God.

  25. @Faith Maduro-Powell says:

    Are you sure?

  26. Ì DON'T KNOW says:

    WHY ALL THIS DRAMA FOR ? ( LETS JUST SETTLE FOR AMOTHER ~ ” HONEST MISTAKE ” AGAIN ? OR AS USUAL ?

  27. @jim says:

    Stop the nonsense
    Opposition- some of them waste of time!!did 0% 0R when they were in GOVERNMENT

  28. A Rabsatt says:

    Thank you Faith

Leave a Comment

Shares