The party said Golding would resign once the JLP chooses a new leader. who will become the new Prime Minister of Jamaica.
The announcement from the party said Golding informed the central executive committee of his decision at a quarterly meeting in the capital of Kingston.
The announcement said Golding advised the party that "the challenges of the last four years have taken their toll and it was appropriate now to make way for new leadership to continue the programmes of economic recovery and transformation while mobilizing the party for victory in the next general elections."
It's not clear if the move by Golding is a popular one within the rank and file of the party. Senator Dennis Meadows, who is on the JLP's executive committee, told local media there has been an "overwhelming response" for Golding to stay on as party leader.
"He feels the chances of the party winning the next elections are at a disadvantage with him at the head, but there's no questioning of his competence," Meadows said Sunday.
And party chairman Mike Henry said the central executive voted to reject Golding's decision to resign as party leader.
However, Information Minister Daryl Vaz said on local radio that the decision about the prime minister's upcoming resignation was final.
Golding popularity and credibility hit a law after he defended drug kingpin Christopher "Dudus" Coke and refused an American request for the dug dealer's extradition.
It took nine months for Golding to give in. In the extreme violence that followed in 2010 at least 73 civilians were killed as security forces hunted down Dudus.
Last month, Dudus pleaded guilty to racketeering and assault charges, admitting his leadership of the brutal Shower Posse gang. He is due to be sentenced in December.
Peter Phillips, a spokesman for the main opposition People's National Party (PNP), said it was that incident that precipitated Golding's fall.
"I think it is reflective of the low standing the prime minister has amongst the Jamaican people. His credibility was destroyed in the Christopher Coke fiasco," Phillips said in an interview with the Associated Press (AP).
The party also called on Golding to immediately call general elections "to resolve the crisis of governance in the country."
Golding has denied links to the gang lord. However political observers say Golding could not have been elected without the support of Dudus, who controlled a large bank of votes for the Jamaica Labor Party.
Dudus played both sides of the political fence, also supporting the PNP.
Last month, Dudus pleaded guilty to racketeering and assault charges, admitting his leadership of the brutal Shower Posse gang. He is due to be sentenced in December.
Peter Phillips, a spokesman for the main opposition People's National Party (PNP), said it was that incident that precipitated Golding's fall.
"I think it is reflective of the low standing the prime minister has amongst the Jamaican people. His credibility was destroyed in the Christopher Coke fiasco," Phillips said in an interview with the Associated Press (AP).
The party also called on Golding to immediately call general elections "to resolve the crisis of governance in the country."
Golding has denied links to the gang lord. However political observers say Golding could not have been elected without the support of Dudus, who controlled a large bank of votes for the Jamaica Labor Party.
Dudus played both sides of the political fence, also supporting the PNP.
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