FNM Chairman Tightlipped On Former PM’s Nomination

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The political landscape heating up this week, with an opposition member’s surprise move to switch parties and become a third-party voice in Parliament.

It’s raising questions about more political figures and the opposition’s readiness going into elections.

Dr. Duane Sands – Chairman, Free National Movement
“As chairman, are you able to confirm if Dr. Minnis was given the nod or not given the nod? I can confirm, but I won’t, but I can, and the leader will speak to this in very short order.”

And so, speculation remains about the future of the candidacy of former Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis in the next general election, under his own party’s banner.

The party’s Killarney Association told The Tribune newspaper this week they fully support Dr. Minnis as their incumbent MP.

Dr. Duane Sands – Chairman, Free National Movement
“They support Dr. Minnis, and these conversations are very important, and we will have conversations with constituency associations up and down across the length and breadth of The Bahamas.”

This news fueled the controversy surrounding the abrupt resignation of Central Grand Bahama MP Iram Lewis from the FNM this week.

A decision that seems to have shocked quite a few, except Sands.

He told Our News today he believes Lewis’s decision is only a reaction to a rejection from the party’s Central Grand Bahama Constituency Association.

Dr. Duane Sands – Chairman, Free National Movement
“And while we do not use the commentary of the executives or the association absolutely, we do listen, and certainly we would’ve met with the executives; they made it very, very, very clear that their experience with their member of the Parliament was not a good one, not a positive one.”

Lewis delivered the shocking news Wednesday in Parliament,  moving from the FNM to the Coalition of Independents, as their first House member.

He cited a divided party and uncertainty surrounding his nomination.

We asked Sands if he’s worried how this plays out at the polls.

Dr. Duane Sands – Chairman, Free National Movement
“The Free National Movement is absolutely unified behind the leadership of Michael Pintard. We are focused not on burning but on building. We are focused on the future. The world has changed. The visiting public wants to know that there are real opportunities for them in modern Bahamas.”