The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

I’m writing this letter in a country of people who claim to believe in God. A “Christian” nation. It is clear to me that there are many “supporters” of the FNM who are truly not believers in God or maybe they just don’t have enough faith to believe that God is in control.

While we are very much given an opportunity by the Almighty to set our own course in the choices we make, whatever happens in the end is either something that God has “willed” or that God has “allowed” for his own purpose. For whatever reason, Dr Minnis has been allowed to retain his seat as leader of the FNM, against all odds.

The distraction of this whole issue of the leadership in the FNM has come to the point where I wonder if FNM’s would ever unite for the bigger cause. Dr Minnis has his weaknesses, but don’t we all agree that this party is bigger than just the leader? What about the rest of us? Are we there to lift up our leader, help make up for his weak points for the benefit of all of us and for the nation, or are we going to tear him down? Anyone who jumps ship now was never an FNM or maybe they just have no faith in God.

Call him what you want, but Dr Minnis is no fool. He is being seriously underestimated. Many are of the opinion that the FNM could never win the government with Dr Minnis as leader and, of course, there is the added concern that the DNA will be a spoiler. Maybe it is true that the two parties (FNM and DNA) should merge, but then the question is who should concede and allow the other to be leader? Personally I think Branville McCartney should concede. Minnis has already outshone him by being patiently strategic enough to hang in there and win the leadership position of the FNM. If Branville had some stickability and patience, there is a good chance that he would be leader of the FNM today! Minnis also outshined Branville by winning his seat by a huge margin in the last election. Branville on the other hand is not even a sitting M.P. I am also of the opinion that Dr Minnis has a greater ability than Branville to attract PLP’s to the party. He is not considered “the old guard “.

Some journalists are not being very kind to Minnis right now, which is in my opinion a slap in the face of the many supporters who saw it fit to have him stay on as leader. Statements like he is “politically deficient” is almost laughable when you look at the facts! Who won their seat in the 2012 election when almost every seasoned Member of Parliament in the FNM lost theirs? MINNIS! Who won the leadership of the FNM vote unopposed after the devastating loss in 2012? MINNIS! Who just won the leadership race 3-1 in spite of the odds? MINNIS! Certainly doesn’t seem to be politically deficient to me! He must be doing something right!

I have another theory based on my belief in God as to why Minnis will continue to be successful. If you are a Bible believer you will see that Moses also had the odds against him. Ironically he was a terrible speaker and he even told God so! Check it out in Ex. 4:10. God’s response to him in a nutshell was “I am God! I don’t call the qualified. I qualify the called!”

Don’t be surprised if Minnis becomes The next Prime Minister... in spite of the odds! Save this letter as a reminder that I told you so when it happens!

NEVER UNDERESTIMATE YOUR OPPONENT

Nassau,

October 25, 2014.