By KHRISNA VIRGIL
Tribune Staff Reporter
kvirgil@tribunemedia.net
FORMER Deputy Prime Minister Frank Watson has said there continues to be calls within the Free National Movement for an early convention.
However, he was reluctant to comment on whether he was of the view that party leader Dr Hubert Minnis should resign after he admitted he met with one of the criminals involved in an alleged murder plot allegedly orchestrated by Lyford Cay resident Peter Nygard.
“Many persons want an early convention, but people don’t realise that the final say will come from the Free National Movement’s Executive Council,” Mr Watson told The Tribune yesterday, as he revealed that meetings have taken place to discuss the party’s next move.
Asked if Dr Minnis should step down as leader, Mr Watson replied: “Everyone has to decide for themselves what they want.”
FNM insiders have told this newspaper that there have been several discussions to have Deputy Leader Peter Turnquest take the reins of the party until an early convention is held.
The timeline now being considered for a full convention where all positions will be open for challenge is May or June, according to trusted sources. In January, the embattled party leader announced through a press statement that the FNM’s Executive Committee recommended a full convention to be held no later than November 30.
The party last held a convention in November 2014. At that time, Dr Minnis was re-elected as leader after a landslide victory over Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner in the leadership contest.
Other party insiders have insisted that the FNM is in a “quandary” with the party reportedly split on whether to compel Dr Minnis to call an early convention or have him resign ahead of the event.
However, insiders insist that with the revelation that Dr Minnis met three times with Livingston “Toggie” Bullard, one of the men involved in the alleged murder for hire plot, there is immense pressure for the Killarney MP to step down as party leader. He continues to be criticised because he did not reveal until last week that he met with Bullard at his residence. Many FNMs believe he should have not been involved in the matter to any degree.
He admitted to The Tribune last week that he first met with Bullard in his west New Providence home where he was told to pass on a message to former Senator and FNM Chairman Michael Pintard that he was about to be “set up” by high-ranking members of the government. The “gang member”, who he said is his constituent, gave him fish on the other two occasions that they met. He was adamant that the two men never discussed Mr Nygard. The meetings occurred some time last year.
“Minnis doesn’t enjoy the support of the majority of the parliamentary team,” one insider said. “This whole ‘Toggie’ thing has blown the top off of every plan he had to retain the leadership of this party.”
Another source said: “One meeting and its attendees concluded that they think Dr Minnis should go and leave the party to fully get in gear for the election free of the distraction of what discussion took place between him and ‘Toggie’ at his house.
“Another group contends that they will go back to him and ask again and for the last time for an early convention. It is thought we could see an election as early as May or June.
“The overall feeling is that he should step down and the party would then be turned over to the care of Turnquest with the understanding of an early convention. That is what the rank and file want.
“If he won’t leave voluntarily, he will have to leave kicking and screaming. This party is in a quandary.”
Despite this controversy, there are still people who support the leader.
Maurice Moore, who is considered one of the FNM’s founding fathers, on Tuesday defended Dr Minnis as “an honest man”, saying he saw no reason for the Killarney MP to resign over his admission that he met with Bullard.
Mr Moore stressed that Dr Minnis “did nothing wrong” and had no involvement in the murder-for-hire allegations connected to Mr Nygard.
He was adamant that Dr Minnis should remain the party’s leader in the face of reported internal calls for him to step down over his handling of the matter.
Mr Moore said he does not see why anyone is upset.
“I don’t think the leader should resign. He is not involved,” Mr Moore told The Tribune on Tuesday.
“If someone calls him and said (a) trap is set for Pintard and he said ‘look this is what I have been told’, where is the harm in that?
“The leader didn’t have to say it, but I think he was very frank. He is honest and straightforward. He advised him (Mr Pintard) not to go, but he didn’t do anything beyond that,” Mr Moore said.
The murder-for-hire allegations were revealed after a lawsuit was filed against Mr Nygard on March 9.
Comments
Honestman 8 years, 1 month ago
"The overall feeling is that he should step down and the party would then be turned over to the care of Turnquest with the understanding of an early convention. That is what the rank and file want."
Dr. Minnis, your time is up. You will never be a politician, far less a Prime Minister, no matter how hard you try. You are simply not cut out for the job. No shame in that. Go back to the medical profession where you are surely more suited. A united FNM led by a strong leader with genuine political awareness is what the country is crying out for. For the love of The Bahamas resign your post and give your party a chance to mount a credible challenge to the PLP next May. I can't believe that you are so self obsessed and delusional that you would allow Christie and his "made men" another five year term in which to finish off The Bahamas for good?
GrassRoot 8 years, 1 month ago
I agree he should step down and hold himself ready for a post in the new Government. He would be a decent public servant.
thephoenix562 8 years, 1 month ago
Peter Turnquest do what?Not in my lifetime.This is serious.Stop talking nonsense.WTF
Zakary 8 years, 1 month ago
FNM insiders have told this newspaper that there have been several discussions to have Deputy Leader Peter Turnquest take the reins of the party until an early convention is held.
This is getting old fast. Maybe it's time to get out of the court of public opinion and handle their own affairs internally?
By the time all of the squabbling is done, the opposition party will be looking more and more like a ‘mule’, which as I recall is a cross between a donkey and a horse.
prosperity1914 8 years, 1 month ago
Any honorable person would have resigned under these circumstances without having to be asked to do so. This is a no brainer, Minnis MUST resign! As for Maurice Moore, it's amazing what a promise can get you, in terms of loyalty.
TalRussell 8 years, 1 month ago
by TalRussell
sheeprunner12 8 years, 1 month ago
Agreed ............. Minnis should resign from front line politics altogether and continue to be a successful OB/GYN and businessman .......... he is better off teaming up with the D'Aguilar guy and buy a few of the Bahamar hotels ......... Let LBT lead the FNM into the 2017 election
Economist 8 years, 1 month ago
With Minnis as leader the FNM will loose again. Bran and his Green Machine must be waiting to pounce.
proudloudandfnm 8 years, 1 month ago
Minnis has to go....
Craig 8 years, 1 month ago
My my what a sad state our Bahamaland is in right now!!!. A totally impotent opposition and a government that is running the country in a such way that would get the approval of Niccolò Machiavelli.
Godson 8 years, 1 month ago
PRIDE IS A BITCH... It seems like persons among us lack decency and the maturity to look at something and call it for what it is.
Mr. Moore's comments are the classic example of a grown man stuck in his infantile stage... or rather, and when I reflect on his ranting and raging during the fiasco meeting in which he announced his support for Dr. Minnis, he is probable going through the early stages of senility. I say this with no intention of disrespect, but again, we must call it for what it is.
The FNM, on the whole, has displayed cowardice in their not doing what they had promised to do at the end of February, which was: TO SET A DATE FOR A CONVENTION.
The Executive, as well as, the Central Council have reneged on their promise. If we cannot keep to a simple agenda among ourselves, how are we to set the Country on a right and progressive path? Are we still determined to sacrifice the welfare of the Country just to align our personal ambitions within the Party? This is wrong!!!
Give the power to the people. Don't be afraid of what the decision of the people will be. Stop treating the people as though they are the enemy and that they are unable and incompetent of making of free choices.
Godson 'Nicodemus' Johnson
licks2 8 years, 1 month ago
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha. . .these couple FNMs here just don't get it aye?
WE DON'T LIKE LBT. . .THE PLP IS NOT EVEN IN THIS DISCUSSION! The two leaders we are looking at are BM and HM (possibly together in one party). . .not even PAPA. . .so if yall FNM want to be the opposition again to Bran's green party. . . keep up yinna foolishness!
If yall vote the good Doc out and he goes to Bran green party yall will not even be opposition again. . .even if yinna bring back PAPA! The PLP will most likely be opposition!
sheeprunner12 8 years, 1 month ago
Both Perry and HMinnis should resign from frontline politics and leave the next election for a new leadership cohort ....... Brave, LBT, GMoss and Bran
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID