The Highs And Lows Of Dr. Hubert Minnis As FNM Leader

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – This week, the Free National Movement ended all speculation over the future of former Prime Minister and Killarney MP Dr. Hubert Minnis in frontline party politics, revealing that he will not be on the party’s candidates slate in the next general election.

Veteran gynecologist and parliamentarian, Dr. Hubert Minnis entered front line politics in 2007, as the elected Member of Parliament for the Killanery constituency,
he was appointed as Minister of Health under the Cabinet of Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham.

His party’s loss of the 2012 general election, and eventual resignation of Ingraham as leader and Abaco MP opened the door to his ascension to leader.

However, internal party strife lead to an unprecedented vote of no confidence in Minnis by his parliamentary colleagues in December 2016.

Five FNM members petitioned the Governor General to remove him, making Loretta Butler-Turner the official leader of the opposition, sitting as the MP for Long Island.

Despite the petitions, Minnis held on the party’s leadership, steering the party into the 2017 general election with a campaign platform striving for ‘better governance, anti-corruption measures, and economic reforms’.

He led the largest political victory in history, with a 35 to 4 seat win over Perry Christie and the PLP.

That election also gave Michael Pintard his first election victory as the Member of Parliament for Marco City, and his ministerial appointment to head Agriculture and Marine Resources.

Two years in and Dr. Minnis would be facing the worst hurricane on record, followed by a global pandemic that shut down the world, both of which drew heavy criticism in some quarters for the way his administration responded.

MP’s Reese Chipman and Vaughn Miller left during this term as well.

As tensions mounted, Dr. Minnis shocked the nation, calling a snap election nearly 8 months before the anticipated date.

His gamble backfired in September 2021, with a 32 – 7 loss in favor of Brave Davis and the PLP.

The defeat was blamed on Minnis’ leadership, which eventually led to a challenge by Michael Pintard at a special convention in February 2022.

By June 2024, the two met again in a race to lead the FNM following perceived acts of power grabs by Minnis in parliament.

However, Pintard solidified his position, and seemingly brought Minnis’ leadership aspirations to an end.

In a final political death knell, Pintard and his executive council ended the former prime minister’s career in FNM frontline politics with the announcement that Dr. Minnis will not be given a candidacy in the 2026 race.