The Tribune

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

FIVE days after the FNM was expected to announce who will be their candidate for the North Abaco by- election, the party is still no closer to making that decision FNM leader Dr Hubert Minnis said yesterday.

Dr Hubert Minnis said the final decision was not expected for a while as it has to go back to the council.

Despite not announcing a candidate, Dr Minnis said the party is confident they will retain the seat.

“We still have a lot of support from the people of North Abaco. Mr Ingraham said farewell to his constituents Monday night and more than 100 people showed up,” he said,

“He spoke, I spoke and the message was well received. We are still campaigning. We are galvanising everyone and getting them energised. We are sending the message that they must continue to campaign throughout  up until the by-election.”

North Abaco MP Hubert Ingraham hosted his final reception for constituents of Dundas Town, Murphy Town and Central Pines Monday night.

According to FNM chairman Charles Maynard, the former Prime Minister began his farewell tour on Saturday visiting Green Turtle Cay then on Sunday he visited Grand Cay and  Little Abaco.

In addition to his visits over the past several days, Mr Ingraham and his wife, Delores hosted a thank-you reception at the new Treasure Cay Beach Public Park.

Mr Ingraham represented North Abaco for more than two decades.

Although the FNM under his leadership failed to win the majority in the House Of Assembly in the May 7 election, Mr Ingraham still won his seat.

A short time later, he announced that he would resign from front line politics on July 19, the date and month on which he was first sworn in as a Member of Parliament in 1977.

Mr Ingraham will not be afforded a special sitting in the House to bid farewell to his contsitents as the house is not expected to meet until July 25.

Mr Maynard said Mr Ingraham will send a letter of resignation to the House Speaker Kendall Major to end his official career in front line politics.