Former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis
By RASHAD ROLLE
Tribune News Editor
rrolle@tribunemedia.net
FREE National Movement leader Michael Pintard has told former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis that he will not be renominated in the Killarney constituency, according to three sources familiar with the matter.
The Tribune also understands that the FNM will not renominate Adrian Gibson in Long Island, though it was unclear up to press time whether Mr Gibson had been directly informed.
The determination that three sitting MPs will not be renominated signals that the FNM’s election machinery is shifting into high gear, with candidate vetting and strategic positioning actively underway. The next general election is not due until September 2026.
Insiders say Central Grand Bahama MP Iram Lewis’ expectation that he would not be renominated led him to leave the FNM and join the Coalition of Independents yesterday.
They say Mr Lewis was dropped mainly because he lacked the support of his constituency association.
The decision on Mr Gibson, they say, stems from unease in Long Island over his continued legal issues.
While Dr Minnis maintained the backing of his constituency association, his refusal to rally around the FNM’s leadership influenced the decision not to renominate him.
St Barnabas MP Shanendon Cartwright, East Grand Bahama MP Kwasi Thompson and St Anne’s MP Adrian White are expected to be renominated.
Last year, Dr Minnis, who stepped down as party leader after the FNM’s crushing 2021 general election loss, challenged Mr Pintard for leadership at the party’s convention. He was soundly defeated, receiving 163 votes to Mr Pintard’s 486. The race highlighted deep divisions within the party, with several former Cabinet ministers endorsing Mr Pintard while Dr Minnis secured limited support from former colleagues.
Not only did the contest cement Mr Pintard’s mandate to reshape the FNM before the next general election, but for unity between the two men never materialised.
Dr Minnis and Mr Gibson declined to comment yesterday.
Comments
DonAnthony 5 days, 1 hour ago
Good riddance to Gibson, long islanders deserve better.
ExposedU2C 5 days ago
And the people of Killarney fully deserve the nasty and evil Tyrant Minnis if they cannot come to their senses and support anybody else but him.
TalRussell 5 days ago
@ComradeTrueBahamian, can see why an out-of-touch RedParty'; --- went from winning a 28 House-seated majority govt to 7 seats. -- 7 House-seated, minus Dr. Minnis and problematic Long Island and now after Mr. Lewis;... Reduced to fitting in a telephone booth size with their (4) remaining official opposition seated MPs'. -- Yes?
trueBahamian 4 days, 7 hours ago
Que? Lol. Not sure why you're mentioning me here.
bogart 4 days, 17 hours ago
In the 2017 Elections the FNM won 35 seats and the PLP won 4 seats.
In 2021 Elections the FNM won 7 seats and the PLP won 32 seats
trueBahamian 4 days, 7 hours ago
Mr. Pintard finally made a move to eliminate thr nuisance. Mr. Minnis is a,problem that needs to be dealt with. Hopefully, this ends the drama. But, perhaps he shows up as an independent to cause problems. The FNM needs to sort themselves out as we need Brave and his tribe of idiots to go. Fraud, waste and mismanagement needs to go. One day we may find leaders who can run this country. Not sure when though. Last decent leader we had was Mr. Ingraham.
trueBahamian 4 days, 7 hours ago
Can someone play the song, "Hit the road Jack" for Minnis?
Empiricist 4 days, 3 hours ago
It is very unfortunate that it has taken so long for the FNM to recognize that this person will always be an albatross around the neck, heart and integrity of the party. It is time for him to withdraw into his world of make believe. Just imagine he has been telling people that he is the Mandela of the Bahamas?
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