The Tribune

By AVA TURNQUEST

Tribune Chief Reporter

aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

FREE National Movement candidate for Marco City Michael Pintard yesterday moved to disassociate himself from a Facebook page that has been promoting his campaign and posting about national issues.

Mr Pintard called for those behind the Facebook page ‘We Care Bahamas’ to remove his image and the FNM’s logo from images shared on social media, expressing concern that the unsolicited endorsement may be used to harm his campaign.

“I am unaware of who is producing the site, whether friend or foe, I want to make it clear that I have no association directly or indirectly to the site,” Mr Pintard said. “They do not speak on my behalf, and the battles they wish to wage they ought not to do it using my name or picture. If they were a friend, they should have a conversation with me about how they can best assist our campaign in Marco City and how we can hold the government accountable.

“The way they are going about it strongly suggests that it is someone who wishes to put me in conflict with a wide range of political issues in a bid to sabotage my campaign. We choose the tone, the issues, and the words we use quite carefully. Those persons who are now putting out these flyers do not speak on our behalf.”

Mr Pintard took exception to flyers that depicted him as the “salvation for Grand Bahama”, underscoring that his platform and message focused on uplifting community stakeholders and fostering greater partnerships to effect change.

“We see ourselves as the best option, but we will work with other stakeholders to improve the quality of life for constituents and the island of Grand Bahama. Even the message projecting as if we are the salvation is not consistent with how we are working the campaign. “We are going door-to-door, we have no difficulty commenting on national issues that affect this country, no matter who is involved, but we will determine when and how,” he said.

Mr Pintard added that his campaign was focusing on the restoration of Marco City and initiatives like hurricane relief, youth programmes and backyard farming.

The FNM also issued a statement on the matter yesterday.

It read: “The Free National Movement welcomes all Bahamians opposed to this inept PLP government to coalesce behind the FNM in the upcoming general election, but we want to make it very clear that the only official spokespersons for the party are our leader, deputy leader, chairman, and our candidates. We have become aware that outside groups, including ‘We Care Bahamas’, are issuing statements and social media posts that suggests it to be coming from the FNM and in particular our candidate for Marco City, Mr Michael Pintard.

“We do not condone or support these statements. The FNM will continue to point out the failings of the PLP government and our plans for the future of our country through official communications,” the party’s statement said.