Killarney MP and Former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis during the 2024 FNM Convention held at Baha Mar on June 1, 2024. Photo: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff
By LEANDRA ROLLE
Tribune Chief Reporter
lrolle@tribunemedia.net
THE Free National Movement’s Killarney Constituency Association is pushing back against the party’s decision to deny former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis renomination, warning the move could cost the FNM the seat.
Elaine Gomez, chairwoman of the association, said most executives back Dr Minnis and would continue to support him — even if he runs as an independent.
“Dr Minnis is an institution in that area,” she said. “PLPs have run against him, independents have run against him, but I’m almost certain that they won’t be victorious.”
Her comments follow The Tribune’s report that FNM Leader Michael Pintard informed Dr Minnis he would not be renominated in Killarney.
Dr Minnis’ refusal to rally behind the party’s leadership was a key factor in the decision to deny him a nomination. Some had still hoped he would attend a recent party meeting and endorse Mr Pintard, potentially clearing the way for his renomination — but he did not show.
Some Killarney FNM supporters have warned they will not vote if Dr Minnis is not on the ticket.
“I have four votes in my house and they will stay at home,” said council representative Melvita Collie. “It’s as simple as that.”
Mrs Gomez praised Dr Minnis’ track record, citing his annual flu shot drives, installing CCTV cameras for improved security, and supporting single mothers through community programmes. She argued that replacing him would not benefit the party.
“I feel as if the majority of our executives support Dr Minnis in whatever decision he makes. At this time, I don’t know what that decision is,” she said.
Her comments underscore the tension between the party’s Killarney base and others as speculation builds over who might replace Dr Minnis in the constituency.
Meanwhile, in Long Island, the FNM is also facing questions about MP Adrian Gibson, who is currently facing legal charges.
The Tribune understands the party will not renominate Mr Gibson in the constituency. However, party chairman Dr Duane Sands insisted no final decision had been made.
Joan Knowles, the FNM’s Long Island constituency chairwoman and a co-accused in Mr Gibson’s case, declined to comment.
However, a party insider in Long Island told The Tribune that roughly three-quarters of supporters oppose Mr Gibson’s renomination.
“It’s up and down,” said one association executive who asked to remain anonymous. “Some people want him to run again, and me, I don’t have a problem with him, but you know you have a lot of voters who are concerned about this case he’s having now.”
The insider said recommendations have been made to the party for former MPs Andre Rollins or Michael Turnquest to replace Mr Gibson, adding: “That’s the two main picks right there, but the majority of the people want Andre Rollins.”
Comments
moncurcool 4 days, 9 hours ago
Do these people realize that more people stayed home last elections because of Minnis?
tetelestai 1 day, 16 hours ago
You are confusing the two. This is about a constituency vote, not a vote for the FNM (Party). Don't forget, Minnis won his seat even though the FNM were severely trounced at the polls. Minnis will win his seat again, easily. FNM will lose that seat if he does not run.
truetruebahamian 4 days, 8 hours ago
I would not and could not vote for Minnis. On the other hand I would not and could not vote for Davis or Cooper.
Dawes 4 days, 8 hours ago
Of course they would say that. The fact is Minnis did not help himself. He was thrown out by the Bahamian people, instead of helping FNM rebuild he has spent the whole time trying to take back the FNM and undermine Pintard. One of them had to go. I know plenty of die hard FNMs who have said they will not vote FNM if Minnis was the leader again, and there is probably more then those in the article above.
pablojay 4 days, 8 hours ago
Minnis may be a good MP.but if you turn the 2 capital letters around,he was terrible in that position.A former FNM Cabinet Minister told me personally that he found out after the elections that three of his children did not vote in the last general elections,solely because of Minnis,to which i responded that it was a national problem for the FNM.
TalRussell 4 days, 6 hours ago
Comrades' at-large, set this away on one side of your brain. -- At this point, IF National Election were called, the Coalition of Independents (COI) Candidate; -- are building towards a 38% chance of representing South Abaco's House of Assembly (HOA) Constituency. -- (COI) Richa Sands, pulled-off a respectable enough of a voter interest in the 2021 Killarney Constituency. -- Yes?
joeblow 4 days, 5 hours ago
... I have as much interest in Minnis leading this country again as I have in buying used toilet paper!
Sickened 1 day, 11 hours ago
Lol. I hear you.
DaGoobs 4 days, 4 hours ago
Please let Melvita Collie know that over 1500 voters stayed away from voting in 2021 most likely due to Dr. Minnis' poor leadership as Prime Minister and that if he is re-nominated, even more people are likely not to come out and vote. Minnis beat a PLP nobody by about 600 votes in 2021, not a massive landslide. If Minnis is on the FNM ticket in Killarney in 2026, the probability is that many more than 1500 people will not come out to vote or, worse, come out but vote PLP because they don't want him. He had his time. He's clearly not a team player. Time to quietly go off into the sunset preserving the little bit of public respect that he still has.
TalRussell 4 days, 4 hours ago
Askin' if must focus on the RedParty's members in the Upper Chamber. -- Yes?
JokeyJack 4 days, 4 hours ago
Bahamians don't seem to understand that it DOESN'T MATTER if you don't vote. Only votes are counted at the end of election day. If only 6 people vote in a constituency and George gets 3, Harry gets 2, and Tom gets 1, THEN George wins because he got the most votes in that constituency. The Constitution does not speak to the 12794 other people in that 12800 population constituency that didn't vote. It merely says they now have GEORGE for their MP. Stay home and let other people decide for you. That's your non-choice choice. If you don't like COI then spend your money on good tires for the potholes and shut ya mout.
bogart 4 days, 4 hours ago
Political leaders do not function as leaders without the team of close advisors and best resources to function successfully.
Within each team as Caesar found out are traitors and back stabbers. Within these teams are boot kissers, brown nosers and the inevitable envious wannabe leaders who have mastered the skills, Machiavellian skills to try and become leader themselves. It is not under the advice of others of what the leader should do, but no advise and watch the leader loses and for the next chain of command to take over. The failures are not entirely all done by Dr. Minnis but should be shared by his team. the Prime Minister is not solely elected by himself by the electorate as Prime Minister, but by the entire party willing the majority seats.
In all fairness, Dr. Minnis at times have been very informative in revealing really terrible corruption plaguing Bahamian democracy in Parliament, and after all these endless criticisms and insults, mere words, Dr. Minnis should become a formidable warrior in Parliament and running red hot.
whatsup 4 days ago
Minnis was the worst pm of our country. He was a dictator with his IMMEDIATE LOCKDOWNS during Covid. He closed Our Churches and Schools but opened liquor stores and fast food restaurants. He loved coming on TV every night to lock us down with his spitting, wet lips, and his mandatory orders. Because of him, I voted for the PLP for the first time, won't make that mistake again. He did nothing for our country, only made himself richer, during Covid. Surely, we can find a good Bahamian to run in his seat. HE MUST NOT BE ALLOWED TO RUN FOR THE FMN AGAIN
ExposedU2C 3 days, 11 hours ago
Sadly, Pintard's own incompetence and other inherent weaknesses as a politician have allowed Minnis to be perceived by some, especially Sands and Pintard, as a threat to the leadership of the FNM.
I do believe though that many eligible voters in the Killarney constituency, like the vast majority of eligible voters in the country, whether they be supporters of the PLP or FNM, have come to recognise Minnis for being the arrogant, nasty, wicked, tyrannical and incompetent politician he truly is.
buddah17 3 days, 4 hours ago
l was introduced to Mr. Minnis at a rally held for him, by the FNM, and found him to be a very condescending, arrogant and detached from reality. Therefore l don’t mind, (or even believe) that there is a problem with him being ignored as a candidate by the FNM party…
Seaman 1 day, 9 hours ago
The real of it is the Minnis was the PM and should be respected as such. He did good and he did bad . Because of how he treated Abaco, the FNM's chances of winning either seat is very slim, and slim is out of town. Die hard supporters have a bitter taste in their mouths for how they were treated. As far as Pintard leading the party, I'll be shocked if he's not terminated as leader very soon.He can't lead a bent dick dog anywhere. People follow leaders. As a die hard disgruntled FNM I'm left thinking what the hell has happened to our party.
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