47 year deceased PUP Area Rep David Dido Vega was buried yesterday with a moving official funeral.
And while Party Leader and Prime Minister John Briceno said yesterday that it's not yet time to talk about a replacement candidate to contest a bye election - try telling that to his family!
For them this is no time to mourn; they have sprung into action determined to protect Dido's legacy in the Bay. And it's no idle or sentimental pursuit, the fact is Vega's passing has created a political opportunity - it's considered an easy seat for the PUP to win - considering that David Vega just won by over 400 votes - which is a healthy margin in a usually close division. We're told as many as 8 candidates have expressed interest - and the Vega's are determined to protect what their brother and son fought so hard for over many years.
The PUP Corozal Bay Executive put up a facebook post saying it, quote, "has met and as a united front decided to pledge the support to Mrs. Elvia Vega Samos as the next area representative of Corozal Bay."
It continues, quote,
"She has agreed to continue the legacy of her brother, Hon. David "Dido" Vega.
"We rise again with the slogan: "Dis one Da Fi Dido!" End quote.
That emotive, virtually can't miss slogan is followed up by a letter that Elvia Vega wrote to the PUP Headquarters officially declaring her candidacy.
Now, that is a tough one to look past since she Vega Samos has served and is presently the Chairlady of the Executive.
But the back story is that the Vega's are likely trying to protect the seat against one prominent PUP family in Corozal - the same family family that Dido Vega had battled against to finally get elected as standard bearer. Whether the threat is real or perceived - the Vega family has gone very much on the offence - in order to defend their brother's legacy - a move the old basketballer Dido would surely commend. We'll see if this game goes into overtime - since there are months to go before a bye election.
