The Tribune

FORMER Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham raised questions last night about the alleged proximity between his successor, Perry Christie, and “hundreds of thousands of dollars” in cash during the North Abaco bye-election campaign.

Conceding defeat for the FNM in North Abaco, Mr Ingraham said he remains concerned about reports of underhanded practices by the PLP.

Pointing out that the next time North Abaco is up for grabs, the “mighty power” of the government will not be bearing down on a single constituency, Mr Ingraham said: “We wouldn’t have the money of a number of people, we wouldn’t have the Prime Minister coming to Abaco – here, right across the street there – with hundreds of thousands of dollars, in $100 bills and $50 bills, on the back seat of the car next to him.

“We won’t have ‘Brave’ Davis, the Deputy Prime Minister, we won’t have Bradley Roberts and all the rest of them, and all the monies piling in the air.

“You won’t have the threats given to all civil servants down here, we won’t have all of that next time.

“They will be all over the Bahamas trying to win back the government, and we will be right here, in Abaco, and we will once again do what we did in 1992 and 2007 – we will return to office.”

As it became clear last night that the governing party would carry the day, Mr Ingraham was the first representative of the opposition to issue a statement on the loss of the constituency he represented for more than three decades.

“The practice of clean, fair campaigns is vital for our democracy,” he said. “I remain deeply concerned about numerous instances of unfair practices by the PLP and its agents during this campaign. This included intimidation and threats of victimisation.

“Moving forward, we will remain vigilant against attempts to victimise those who supported the opposition, which is their right to so do without fear or the potential of disfavour by the government of the day.”

“The voters of North Abaco,” he added, “have decided that Mr Renaldo Curry will become their next Member of Parliament.

“I wish also to acknowledge Mr Greg Gomez for waging a vigorous contest during the bye-election campaign. He has a promising future and will continue to make us all proud.”

Mr Ingraham said there is much work to be done in terms of the economic, social and infrastructural development of North Abaco, “building on the work I have been privileged to spearhead in my capacity as a Member of Parliament for 35 years and as head of government for three non-consecutive terms.

“I call on the government to continue these efforts. This includes working with Edison Key, and the people of North and South Abaco, in completing vital projects already in train and designed to boost Abaco’s medium and long-term development.”

Mr Ingraham said that with the bye-election now over, the government needs to demonstrate a commitment to all Abaconians and not a select few.

“The eyes of Abaconians, and indeed that of Bahamians throughout the country, are watching to see how the future will unfold for the people of Abaco – north and south,” he said.

According to Mr Ingraham, following the bye-election, FNM will go “from strength to strength.”

He noted that in 1997, the PLP lost Sir Lynden Pindling’s long held South Andros seat, yet went on to win the 2002 general election.

Mr Ingraham said the FNM do not need to regroup, because the party has “not been ungrouped.”