Suggestions that an election nominee for the One Bermuda Alliance has campaigned on behalf of another group have been countered by the party.

The OBA responded to a report this week on the online news site TNN that Sophia Cannonier, who is canvassing for the party in Pembroke Central (Constituency 17), had presented herself on the doorstep as a “representative” of Emperial Group.

The grassroots organisation, which has historically promoted a variety of cultural events under the theme of “Unity in the Community”, has put forward Eugene Dean as its lone candidate for the General Election on February 18.

Mr Dean, who will run in Sandys South (Constituency 33), went public last month with a call for opposition parties and independent candidates to collaborate instead of dividing votes against the Progressive Labour Party.

Asked for comment, Ms Cannonier responded with an OBA statement to “set the record straight” on the allegation.

“Ms Cannonier has been a passionate advocate affiliated with the Emperial Group for over 20 years and is proud of the work she has done,” the party said.

“The Emperial Group has been unabashed in expressing its desire to work collaboratively with all political parties, and supporting Sophia is an example of its aim.”

The relationship was last seen publicly in December 2023 when Ms Cannonier ran into difficulty with her business’s tenancy, and the Emperial Group stepped forward to provide her an alternative.

Ms Cannonier will face independent candidate Rolfe Commissiong, Jason Hayward, for the Progressive Labour Party, and Ricardo Nesbitt, of the Free Democratic Movement, in the contest for Pembroke Central.

In Sandys South, Mr Dean will be up against Jamahl Simmons, for the PLP, Christina Storey, an independent candidate, and Michael Swan, for the OBA.

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