FNM LEADERSHIP BLOCKS MINNIS FROM ADDRESSING ASSOCIATION
NASSAU, Bahamas — Tensions are mounting in the Free National Movement (FNM) as the leadership of the party is blocking former leader Dr. Hubert Minnis from speaking at FNM constituency association meetings, The Nassau Guardian Reported on Monday, February 27, in an article written by Executive Editor Candia Dames.
There are widespread expectations that the former prime minister will challenge current leader Michael Pintard for the FNM leadership prior to the next general election.
The Nassau Guardian understands that when the former prime minister attended an FNM Council meeting on Thursday, things got heated when Minnis voiced his objection to being prevented from addressing association meetings.
Minnis was set to speak at a meeting of the Garden Hills Constituency Association on March 7, but the leadership reportedly communicated to the association that that must not happen.
Minnis was due to speak on the topic, “PLP policies hurting the average Bahamian”.
The Guardian understands that there was an intense exchange at the council meeting on Thursday over Minnis being prevented from addressing the upcoming association meeting.
Pintard, who was a minister in Minnis’ Cabinet, reportedly warned FNMs that if Minnis leads them into the next election, the party would for sure lose to the Progressive Liberal Party.
The FNM’s leadership views the former leader as a liability to the party and has reportedly accused Minnis of already campaigning in party circles.
It is Pintard’s view that Minnis has been working against what the party leadership is working to achieve and has been pushing a separate agenda, The Nassau Guardian understands.
But Pintard declined to comment on the matter when reached yesterday.
Minnis was unreachable.
The former prime minister has had very limited involvement in the parliamentary caucus, has not been attending parliamentary meetings and rarely attends council meetings.
He was not present a week ago when the vote took place on a resolution the opposition brought in the House of Assembly seeking the establishment of a parliamentary select committee to examine immigration matters.
Minnis, who called a general election eight months before one was constitutionally due, did not immediately step down as leader of the party after the humiliating September 2021 defeat.
See complete article in The Nassau Guardian at https://thenassauguardian.com/tensions-rise-in-fnm/
