Killarney MP and former Prime Minister Hubert Minnis, Free National Movement deputy leader Shanendon Cartwright and Opposition Leader Michael Pintard during a sitting of the House of Assembly on April 17. Photos: Dante Carrer
By LEANDRA ROLLE
Tribune Chief Reporter
lrolle@tribunemedia.net
FORMER Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis is expected to nominate himself to become leader of the Free National Movement today, setting up a highly anticipated race with the incumbent, Michael Pintard, at the party’s convention next month.
Nominations for offices in the FNM close today.
Dr Minnis’ move to challenge Mr Pintard follows many months of infighting in the party that fueled perceptions of disunity.
Dr Minnis and Mr Pintard did not have a close relationship during the Minnis administration, where Mr Pintard was said to be isolated. It is understood that the relationship between the two has since worsened.
FNM chairman Dr Duane Sands nominated himself to defend his post yesterday. Former Yamacraw MP and Immigration Minister Elsworth Johnson will challenge him.
Dr Sands said he believes the FNM would win the next election regardless of who wins the leadership race on June 1.
“The Free National Movement had a rather contentious convention in 2016,” he said. “I know. I was a part of that convention and I ran for office in that convention.
“Bear in mind that it was said then that the factions in the Free National Movement were separated so far that there was no possible chance that we could pull it together and win and less than a year later, the Free National Movement trumps the Progressive Liberal Party at the polls winning 35 to four and so we did it before, we will do it again.”
Nonetheless, the chairman said he still expects Dr Minnis to lose.
“I have no doubt about that,” he said. “Over the last two and a half years, I believe that we have restored a phenomenal amount of confidence in this premier political organisation.
“There are individuals who would rather focus on their own personal agendas, personal ambitions and goals and I say that we ought to be focused on democracy and the good of the people of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.”
Dr Sands said he believed he had the support of Mr Pintard in the chairman race.
“My record is clear,” he added. “People have seen my performance, particularly over the last two years, and you know, the requirement is not perfection, and I have
certainly not been a perfect chairman.
“People have raised their concerns where they thought I could do a better job. I’ve tried my best to do the best that I could do.”
Dr Sands said he would still support the party if he loses.
“I got a job, you know. I am gainfully employed,” he said. “If it is not the will of the delegates of the Free National Movement for me to continue to serve, I could go back tomorrow
and continue my job as a cardiothoracic and vascular surgeon.”
“I will continue to be an FNM. I have lost elections in the FNM before and I’ve won elections in the FNM before. I ain’t ga dead. I promise you, but I will continue to be an FNM.”
When the FNM last held its convention in 2022, Dr Sands received 183 votes, Mr Johnson received 169, and former Golden Gates MP Michael Foulkes got 83.
Comments
AnObserver 6 months, 3 weeks ago
Can we just let Duane and Loretta run the show for the next ten years or something? It would be the best thing that has ever happened to this country.
John 6 months, 3 weeks ago
Both of them have issues of trustworthiness
realfreethinker 6 months, 3 weeks ago
Minnis really too full of himself. I hope he gets smashed in the race. You have to beat them into submission. Why would he think people still want him?
stillwaters 6 months, 3 weeks ago
He's delusional....these politicians are just like people who don't know when to end a bad marriage.
John 6 months, 3 weeks ago
Follow the money. Minnis has big money backing him that’s why ha so cocky. Obviously some heavy players have indicated that they will not finance the FNM under Pintard
TalRussell 6 months, 3 weeks ago
Can only connect the dots between Dr.Minnis and William Arthur Branville McCartney --- By looking backwards. --- Good Day!
bahamianson 6 months, 3 weeks ago
Is expected, seriously? Why cant we wait umtil he nominates as opposed to speculating. This is not news until he nominates. What if I win a million dollars? Who cares, I have not won it, yet.
John 6 months, 3 weeks ago
What is Campaign Finance Reform? When you gatta reform the party to get financing.. gat it?
moncurcool 6 months, 3 weeks ago
Sorry Dr. Sands. Referring to 2016 and now 2024 are different. In 2016 the people ha not rejected Minnis as yet. After 2021, no way people want to see Minnis again. Put him back and FNMs will stay home again.
However, as Chairman I surmise Sands is just saying that publicly, as even hi himself in private does not want Minnis, as he knows the FNM cannot win with Minnis.
Besides, Minnis has clearly shown over the last 2 plus years that he is into himseldf and not the party.
TalRussell 6 months, 3 weeks ago
The RedShirts' Movement, 'knowingly' --- Is poised to stage a 'one-day' leadership convention in a rather 'dubious' membership head-count manner. ---- Yes?
sheeprunner12 6 months, 3 weeks ago
At least one party has open elections during Convention. It shows that factions exist and that there is a healthy and competitive democratic spirit in the FNM.
The PLP fakes their party elections under the disguise of "unity". But we know that the PLP is a dictatorship, with a One Leader spirit.
That is the fundamental difference between the two parties.
TalRussell 6 months, 3 weeks ago
@ComradeSheepie, Is it just a coincidence? --- For whatever reasons the media won't peel back the layers as to what is the meaning of/if/degree of anything between Dr.Minnis and William Arthur Branville McCartney. --- Yes?
ExposedU2C 6 months, 3 weeks ago
Many our rolling over in their grave ........ few have more blood on their hands than this most power hungry arrogant, nasty and evil megalomaniac. We've experienced enough of the hellish harm this totalitarian and authoritarian demon can cause our country. The voters in the Killarney constituency really need to step up to the plate and hammer the final nail in his political coffin.
sheeprunner12 6 months, 3 weeks ago
So, what Minnis do you, bro?????
ExposedU2C 6 months, 3 weeks ago
Minnis's arrogance, nastiness, gross incompetence and megalomaniac attitude made the horrific consequences of Hurricane Dorian and the COVID pandemic many times worse than they need have been for our nation. Add to this his great propensity for squandering our country's limited resources, e.g., his very stupid decision to buy the Grand Lucayan property from Hutchison Whampoa and then proceed to invest many millions of dollars more in the property, all told exceeding $200 million. Let's not forget too how he foolishly ignored the many financial and other problems at BPL and other SOEs. Minnis has zero management skills and has absolutely no understanding of basic economics and public finances. How this man ever became a doctor is mystifying to many.
truetruebahamian 6 months, 3 weeks ago
Minnis is the reason that I resigned from the FNM, much like Christie from the PLP, another resignation. I prefer the FNM, but never under Minnis!
truetruebahamian 6 months, 3 weeks ago
Duane and Loretta would be best for all. ‘
sheeprunner12 6 months, 3 weeks ago
Both are PLPs to their bones. Get real
TalRussell 6 months, 3 weeks ago
Meddling by a foreign government(s) can affect who wins a political movement's leadership.--- Yes?
BONEFISH 6 months, 3 weeks ago
Most persons do not want to see Dr.Minnis return as leader of the FNM. He and whoever is advising appears to be oblivious to that fact.
hrysippus 6 months, 3 weeks ago
How can The Rt. Hon Dr. H. Minnus not nominate? under our current laws, a 2 term prime minister gets a very , very large, large pension. Pls see Mrs. M. Pindling; (the pension is extended to a surviving spouse. while a one term does not get this very generous cut of our tax payers dollars. )
pt_90 6 months, 3 weeks ago
Correction here I dont believe Dr. Minnis ever given a Privy Councilor appt and therefore isnt Rt. Hon see privycouncil.independent.gov.uk/privy-council/privy-council-members/ for the list and the three Rt. Hons Sawyer, Christie, and Ingraham are there.
Minnis was given the local 'Most Hon', if i recall correctly and all of the OPM's announcements referred him as such.
ThisIsOurs 6 months, 3 weeks ago
I cant imagine who's advising Dr Minnis or why he continues to listen to them. Maybe its himself.
sheeprunner12 6 months, 3 weeks ago
We have seen what 2 normal years of MInnis govt looked like (2017-19) ....... He got the economy and society going after the Christie/Davis disaster.
We have seen what Davis has given us with no natural disasters (chaos & corruption) ...... More taxes, no results.
We observe the chatter of Pintard & can speculate where that will take us if he is PM ....... More phony New Day rhetoric.
ThisIsOurs 6 months, 3 weeks ago
I dont know where people was living between 2017 and 2019, it couldnt have been the Bahamas. I'm simply blown away by all the fond memories of how great things were. Because the most common refrain during that time was "y'all please give them more time, they never do this before", then in 2018 there was Oban. Then in 2019 there was Dorian with NEMA claiming credit for work being done by intl national agencies and the minister of national security saying "what crime in Abaco"?
sheeprunner12 6 months, 3 weeks ago
Maybe you are on the Davis gravy train. Even PLPs hollering about hard times now.
ExposedU2C 6 months, 3 weeks ago
Well at least we know whose stink rank piss you are more than willing to carry. As for most of us, we simply don't want any of that kind of evil and nasty piss raining down all over us ever again.
When it comes to the very demonic Minnis, he's rightfully despised and scorned by many of us for the type of person he is as opposed to the political party he chooses to identify himself with. The entire FNM party leadership and all voters in the Killarney constituency should be shunning him like no other.
Smart and sensible Bahamians everywhere have the ability to see the wicked Satanic horns that Minnis has protruding from his forehead.
TalRussell 6 months, 3 weeks ago
RedShirts' Movement needs to withdraw from heading into its leadership convention without first breaking down. --- It's not wonnin' in the West Grand Bahama and Bimini by-election. --- Losing out to an opponent the PLP rounded up --- Without being in possession of a bankbook. --- You couldn't write it! --- Yes?
Sickened 6 months, 2 weeks ago
Minnis was a disaster. But he was a star compared to Davis. My Lord Davis them worse than an atomic bomb - totally devistating!
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