The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemdia.net

FREE National Movement (FNM) Deputy Leader Peter Turnquest yesterday insisted that no supporter or prospective candidate should be apprehensive over the level of discord among the party’s parliamentary caucus.

Addressing the slate of recently ratified candidates, the East Grand Bahama MP told The Tribune that they “are solid and should not be concerned about these issues which will sort themselves out in short order”.

Mr Turnquest was attempting to quell public speculation over the party’s leadership woes.

His comments came after a senior council member, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, detailed several instances in which the pro-Hubert Minnis faction of the FNM allegedly made moves to destabilise those who oppose the leader.

That source alleged that this faction has been allowed to operate without reproach, often times “forcing out anyone that would dare to challenge (Dr Minnis)”.

The same source said that the fast-tracking of “dead on arrival” candidates was a major reason for the latest push by the majority of the party’s parliamentary caucus to oust Dr Minnis as leader.

Earlier this month The Tribune reported that members of the Fort Charlotte constituency branch believed to be anti-Minnis were allegedly restricted from participating in the branch’s voting process out of fear that they would circumvent the ratification of a pro-Minnis candidate.

Fort Charlotte is currently represented by FNM member Dr Andre Rollins, but party insiders are suggesting that Mark Humes, a recent addition to the party, was now being touted as the “it man” by Dr Minnis.

“When he brought (Dr) Rollins over and promised him everything in the world members in Fort Charlotte were saying that other candidates were out there that could have done a better job,” a Fort Charlotte source said yesterday.

“We made that call. When we spoke out against it, the party’s executive said that our association was dysfunctional. Now that the plan has backfired and (Dr) Rollins and them aren’t on the same page they are trying again to get the person they want in place.

“Now, the party is doing all it can to ensure that when we have a vote, those that vote are all for Dr Minnis. They already have Mark (Humes) in the wings, waiting and ready. The idea is that Fort Charlotte, one of the constituencies that supported Dr Minnis in the last convention, would accept whatever is thrown at us,” the source said.

Mr Humes resigned from his post as Democratic National Alliance (DNA) Chairman in July 2013, saying the decision was personally motivated and in keeping with his principles and what he believes to be “right and true”.

He contested the 2012 general election as the DNA’s candidate for Fort Charlotte, where he received 519 votes. When contacted for comment Mr Humes told The Tribune that he was not aware that he was being considered for the constituency.

He said while he had not formally applied for the position, the Fort Charlotte candidacy was something he was very interested in.

Mr Humes noted that while he was still a “relatively new” FNM, he has watched the party for some time and resolved himself to the thought that “party politics would work itself out”.

Mr Humes said while the party does “have its issues”, the FNM offers a “wonderful chance to do good”.

It has also been alleged that South Beach, Southern Shores, Golden Isles, Marco City, Central Grand Bahama and some Family Island constituencies have been “bullied into submission” by pro-Minnis operatives.

South Beach candidate Howard Johnson said there are some in the party who are split into different camps: those who support Dr Minnis and those who favour Loretta Butler-Turner.

“I don’t do factions, it should never be like that. We are here to improve this party and as a result of that, improve the Bahamas,” he said.

Meanwhile, newly appointed FNM Senator Dr Duane Sands stated that all party members are “rightly concerned” about the issues facing the party.

“We are not afraid to allow a healthy democracy to play out. We will not strangle it or stifle it. For love of country demands much ... even painful introspection and self-adjustment,” he told The Tribune.