The Tribune

By Khrisna Virgil

Tribune Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

MARSH HARBOUR, Abaco – Nomination day for the North Abaco by-election saw three hopefuls become the official candidates to contest that seat.

The candidates, who include FNM Greg Gomez, Renardo Curry of the PLP, and the Bahamas Constitution Party’s (BPC) Ali McIntosh yesterday – between 9am and noon – submitted the required documents with $400 in Bahamian currency to Returning Officer Charles Kings at the Cooper’s Town Administrative Complex.

Scores of people, largely in support of both Gomez and Curry cheered and chanted as the candidates entered the complex to complete the nomination process.

While Mr Gomez said he is certain to retain FNM ties in North Abaco, he is aiming to fight victimisation throughout the island.

“I have been victimised by the PLP,” Mr Gomez said. “I made application to the Department of Local Government. I was recommended to be an island administrator by the former administration led by Hubert Ingraham who sanctioned my application. After the May 7 general election, the PLP thought otherwise.

“I want the people to know throughout the length and breadth of the Bahamas there are many of you who have been victimised. I have decided to stand, and the people of North Abaco will stand with me. We want the people of North Abaco not to fear anybody.”

As for PLP candidate Renardo Curry, he believes that growing support from young voters will allow him to secure a victory in North Abaco that has for more than three decades been an FNM stronghold.

Former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham had represented that constituency for 35 years, winning the seat although the FNM lost the government in a landslide defeat to the PLP on May 7. The seat became vacant with Mr Ingraham’s official resignation on August 31.

“A lot of the young people,” said Mr Curry, “have decided that they will support me even more than they did the last time and we have other folks who said they will be coming with me because they see my vision and have had a chance to look it over and they feel we have a good plan for North Abaco and so we are happy about that.”

Prime Minister Perry Christie added that Mr Curry is the most competent candidate to enable North Abaco to transition smoothly from the FNM to PLP representation.

If the PLP can win the seat, the government would then occupy 30 of the House of Assembly’s 38 seats.

Hundreds of voters are expected to head to the polls on October 15 in North Abaco, two days before the House reconvenes to elect a new representative.

The first PLP rally will be held on Saturday. The FNM anticipate holding their first rally next week.