Ferdinand Zizi, the chosen Haitian candidate for the 40th Council District, dropped out of the race last week, angering many of his supporters.

Zizi’s surprising departure narrows the field of the race for one Haitian candidate, Mathieu Eugene, who is now going to face a full stable of candidates vying to win the special Feb. 20 election to fill a City Council seat made vacant by the newly elected U.S. Rep. Yvette Clarke.

This move, which came as a shock to his legion of volunteers, underscores the community’s lack of political maturity and its inability to carry out a process it started, despite some flaws.

“While I am the consensus candidate, I have decided to withdraw my candidacy to ensure that the goal of the Haitian-American Leadership Council (HALC) remains achievable, Zizi said in a statement released Jan. 25.

“By withdrawing my candidacy, the Haitian community as a whole can rally behind one candidate as we endeavor to elect the first candidate into public office,” Zizi said.

Zizi, a healthcare executive, was picked from a pool of six candidates by a steering committee of Haitian community leaders after a two-month long process, which included a candidate forum on October 22.

“My understanding is that he did not want to be remembered as the Haitian who created division in the community and prevented a Haitian to be the first elected official in New York City, said Dr. Georges Casimir, a physician and a member of the steering committee, who was Zizi’s main supporter.

Eugene, a youth group organizer, participated in the process and initially agreed to accept the committee’s choice. But after Zizi received the committee’s nod, Eugene decided to launch his own campaign.

On Jan. 28, Eugene won the endorsement of Clarke and her mother, the former City Councilwoman Una C. Clarke.

Eugene has been a member of their Democratic Club for 14 years.

“The seat is not for a Haitian,” Clarke said. “We based our choice on who we know has been working within the community. [Eugene] has done his homework by working with the elderly, the youth and in the domestic violence field.”

Eugene could not be reached for comment.

Almost a dozen candidates are interested in replacing Clarke in this special election, which usually does not draw more than 5,000 voters, experts said.

According to figures compiled by the New York City Board of Election, the 40th District has 61,470 registered voters; the same figures show a population increase in the Flatbush and East Flatbush district where most Haitians live.

Some were always doubtful whether Haitians have the voting power to become an influential group, to organize as a group and be recognized by the political machines. Others, including many non-Haitian community leaders, have grumbled that Haitians are not team players offering to go along and that they are not trying to build long lasting alliances.

While some people declined comment on the process, the October forum in experts’ eyes had shown that the Haitian community was beginning to sow the seeds of a political process. That took a few steps backward with Zizi’s withdrawal.

Their solidarity began to unravel when some supporters felt there was not enough transparency. Furthermore, others say that the committee did not muster tangible support from the Haitian community and the community at large and they fail to understand the mixed signals sent to them as they undertook their steps to choose a candidate.

“The process was very fair and as transparent as it can be. It was absolutely totally transparent,” Casimir said.

Casimir said the issue brought up by some members of the community was never about the committee’s work; it was that the membership of the committee did not reflect the constituency of the 40th District. Something the committee will take into consideration, he said.

“This particular committee has planned to stay. Its plan is to work with other candidates from other district. That’s why it had members of various background on it,” he said.

Political experts have long said that to negotiate for their community’s need representatives must understand the political process and how to build the support base necessary to gain influence in city politics.

Clarke, who was contacted by the Haitian steering committee, said the Eugene choice was a reward he deserves for being faithful to the Democratic Club for 12 years.

“It will be hypocritical of me to choose another candidate while Eugene is part of our Democratic Club,” said Clarke.

“Zizi came before us as 18 other candidates; we were in deadlock with two members of our club and we chose Eugene. I feel bonded with him,” she said.

In the middle of the process, supporters of the forum had anticipated this possible scenario of having two candidates running, but said that Eugene endorsement by Clarke did not change their will to fight the battle until the end as other people think.

“Zizi’s withdrawal was his personal choice. As a whole, the committee has not necessarily endorsed his decision,” said Casimir. As a group they still believe Zizi was a consensus candidate and should have stayed in the race.

But some members supported Zizi’s decision.

“I think it’s a good thing. (Zizi) puts the community first. The community was divided on Zizi’s choice,” said Jackson Rockingster, a member of Haitian American Association for Progressive Action.

Eugene got an endorsement by HAAPA as well.

Casimir said the outcome of the special election will determine what to expect from the situation.

“If a Haitian is elected, they will forget their negative feeling. Pride will be restored. They will forget this animosity and acrimony. If a Haitian is not elected, we will have some serious problem in the community,” Casimir said.

Asked about Eugene’s chance to win her seat, in light of his bilingual skills, Clarke responded, “Mathieu also speaks Creole and Spanish. He has an excellent chance. If the community backs him up, he will be a sure winner.”