Dr Hubert Minnis speaks in the House of Assembly.
By TANEKA THOMPSON
Tribune News Editor
tmthompson@tribunemedia.net
FREE National Movement Leader Dr Hubert Minnis abused his power when he removed former Chairman Darron Cash from the party’s Executive Committee recently, former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham told The Tribune yesterday.
Because of his removal, Mr Cash, who has openly supported Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner in her leadership bid, is no longer able to vote during the FNM’s convention this week.
Mr Ingraham said Dr Minnis contacted him about concerns that the former senator was Mrs Butler-Turner’s campaign manager and said he was considering removing Mr Cash from the committee.
The former North Abaco MP said he counselled Dr Minnis against the decision and thought the matter had been resolved. The fact that Dr Minnis went ahead with the move is “distressing” and a “black mark against him,” Mr Ingraham added.
His comments came when asked if he thought the delegate selection process for the upcoming convention had been transparent.
Mr Ingraham said: “I don’t know enough about the process to be able to comment on it except I know about one case that was concerning to me.
“It came to my attention that Darron Cash, who was appointed to the Executive Committee by Dr Minnis, was removed by Dr Minnis. Now, this is after Minnis had called me himself and said to me that he was considering removing Darron Cash from the executive of the party because Darron was managing Loretta’s campaign and that’s why he was going to do it. I gave him strong advice not to do so, and my understanding in the conversation was he would not do so, that he would keep Darron on. “So when it came to my attention that he actually removed Darron, I called him. I didn’t get him, I left a message – he called me back. I referred to the conversation we previously had, etc, he said yes, but other people had told him he should remove Darron and he did so. That was very disappointing and distressing.
“I did not bring to his attention at that time because I wasn’t quite conscious of it at the time, that Brent Symonette is also somebody who has been appointed to the Executive Committee by Minnis. Brent Symonette is also supporting Loretta and so I think it’s grossly unfair and an abuse of authority and his power for him to fire Darron because he supports Loretta and not fire Brent. At least in Brent’s case, Brent would have been a delegate anyhow because Brent is a delegate by virtue of the fact he is a former deputy leader of the FNM and that gives him the right to be a delegate at the convention. Darron doesn’t have that right to be a delegate so Darron won’t be a delegate. And a party ought to keep people together and so that’s the one black mark I have against Minnis right now. That’s really distressing.”
Mr Ingraham explained that during his 19 years as leader of the FNM, and even when the party was led by former National Security Minister Tommy Turnquest, no one from the Executive Committee was forcibly removed.
“The leader of the FNM, under our constitution, is able to appoint six persons to the executive of the party and those persons serve at the leader’s pleasure, but generally speaking until the next convention,” he added. “They can quit but there has been no case from the time we established – this came about after I became leader of the FNM, so during my entire tenure and Tommy Turnquest’s tenure, when somebody was appointed they lasted until the next convention (or) until they themselves resigned.”
After he was removed from the Executive Committee, Mr Cash alleged that it was a “systematic effort” on the part of the leader to “corrupt” the process. He also accused Dr Minnis of engaging in “ethnic cleansing” with a view to purging the party of anyone who did not support him.
Mrs Butler-Turner has also recently raised concerns about the FNM’s convention process, saying on July 17 that there were some “irregularities” with the list of delegates that she has seen. She said if it is proven that something untoward has occurred with the process, it should be blamed on FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis.
The FNM’s convention begins today with voting for the party’s executive positions to take place on Friday.
Comments
jackbnimble 7 years, 8 months ago
Dr. Minnis is just nasty. He's going to end up with a lot of snakes around him if he doesn't watch out. People know how he operates so they will fake with his a** and still not be "for" him.
killemwitdakno 7 years, 8 months ago
Very nasty. Don't mind the smile.
SP 7 years, 8 months ago
Must have been a dozy!
TalRussell 7 years, 8 months ago
Comrades! Short having a muffle shop to install a muffler over Papa Hubert's pre convention explosive mouth - what's left be done with this man? Of course the 410 red movement's voting delegates could pass a binding resolution on the convention floor to order security at The Meliá Nassau Beach to forthwith restrict the former prime minister from entering onto the resort's property during the convention's hours July 27-29, 2016?
by TalRussell
birdiestrachan 7 years, 8 months ago
Lucifer in person . This man will do anything for power. remember Bullard and the fish story. They were visiting the gated community where he resides to bring him fish. One would think that a man as rich as he, would be able to buy his own fish. The man can lie faster than fish can swim.
asiseeit 7 years, 8 months ago
Birdie, why do you have a problem with Minnis telling untruths? You god, P.M. Christie is proven to be one who lie's to the Bahamian people, why do you not have a problem with him? Is it because you PLP's are dishonest to the core? Is it because he allows PLP's to plunder the country at will? Is it because you will give a dishonest PLP a pass every time? Do not throw stones when you live in a glass house!
killemwitdakno 7 years, 8 months ago
A N Y TH I N G.
Recall when LBT said her life was threatened by a group of FNMS , he come out the next day bout he got a threatening letter too lol.
Economist 7 years, 8 months ago
Minnis is clearly not leadership material.
Stapedius 7 years, 8 months ago
Ingraham. Just in time to put the nail in Minnis' coffin.
alfalfa 7 years, 8 months ago
Why would the former PM and the former DPM (who is fortunate that his name did not come up in the BEC scandal), suddenly find their voices and decide to offer opinions on the state of the FNM. They are very wealthy as a result of their former political positions, and it is in their best interests and the best interest of the FNM and the Bahamas in general, that they keep quiet, and ride off into the sunset with whatever dignity they have left. How can anyone forget Ingraham the deserter and seriously place any value on anything he says.
Well_mudda_take_sic 7 years, 8 months ago
The FNM party was left in a shambles by Ingraham coming out of the last general election which made it easy for the leadership of the party to be hijacked by a power hungry incompetent dingbat like Minnis. LBT and the other aggrieved FNM members of parliament need to accept that the FNM party is no longer a viable enterprise in Bahamian politics. This being the case each of them should make it known that they intend to resign from the FNM party at the appropriate time and run in their current constituency as an independent candidate in the next general election with a view to forming a new political party with other independent candidates who are successful in their bid to get elected. Minnis should be left alone to oversee the funeral and proper burial of the FNM party. Ingraham may see fit to attend the bereavement service for the FNM party given the role he played in its death.
Reality_Check 7 years, 8 months ago
I watched Minnis's speech at the convention last night. True to form, his entire platform is based entirely on bashing the PLP. He made many promises, but offered no details about what he would/could do to make good on on his promises. As most of us now know, he's certainly not the brightest crayon in the box and it is therefore easy to understand why he cowers from face to face publicly held debates with his opponents. This man very much prefers to cut deals behind the scenes without so much as a single ray of sunshine. If Minnis should ever become PM, he and his cronies will make Christie and Christie's cronies seem like harmless church choir boys!
licks2 7 years, 8 months ago
HI must remember that he is not the leader of the party. . .Mr. Cash is used as an example to all others. . ."you can't continue to getting appointed by doc. . . take the platform and join his detractors. . .bash him in public. . .then expect to sing cumbia. . . ! This move clearly tells Papa that he is their advisor. . .NOT THE END-ALL-TO-BE- ALL! I was a little concern about how Papa was all over the public telling how he "tells" persons what to do! At least we now can see that doc is no puppet for Papa. . .will take advise but he as leader will make the last decision! And Papa needs to be careful about talking about abusing power. . .he was known for over-riding decisions made by those in his government and public service! I do agree that doc should listen to Papa. . .after Papa was an effective PM. . .doc can learn plenty from him. . .but Papa needs to understand. . .it is not his show. . .doc must make his own decision when it all boils down! The leaks must be "plugged". . .turn coats must be dealt with. . .THATS WHERE THE PUBLIC FAULTS DOC. . .HE MUST DO LIKE PAPA DID TO GET HOLD OF THE PARTY. . .SPEAK SOFT BUT WALK WITH A BIG STICK!
Greentea 7 years, 8 months ago
minnis is playing a dirty game and was wrong to remove cash. his tactics are divisive and undemocratic and it shows me that if the FNM is in disarray its because of him. you dont sow these kind of seeds and preach unity. you dont play dirty like this and petend to be a saint. even if he wins the leadership, in my opinion he is a complete loser. talks about the small man- tell him to move himself from his safe seat in Killarney and run in Englerston. i bet that would never happen. just another hypocrite playing with the emotions of clueless bahamian people who believe he has something to offer. trust me on this- this man has nothing. prepare for disappointment.
licks2 7 years, 8 months ago
Hahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha. . .he got yinna. . .!
killemwitdakno 7 years, 8 months ago
Axed again!! Day before convention?
And after what Cash had to take when the PLP raided his home and stole his computer scared he stole some BOB data?
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