National

Ingraham Steps Into Golden Isles Firestorm Ahead of By-election

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – In a by-election already consumed by controversy, former Prime Minister and Free National Movement (FNM) Leader Hubert Ingraham walked into Golden Isles Friday night with a message aimed squarely at voters unsettled by this week’s advanced poll drama.

Published

4 weeks ago

November 22, 2025

Kendeno Knowles

The uproar began after FNM’s and members of the Coalition of Independents accused the government of acting outside the agreed plan for removing ballots from the polling station, fuelling fears the process was compromised.

At the centre of it all, returning officer Neil Campbell, a longtime acquaintance of the prime minister, and a man the FNM insists should be removed from the post.

The party wrote a formal letter outlining their concerns, with chairman Dr. Duane Sands arguing Campbell’s closeness to the PM threatens public confidence in the vote.

Campbell himself once likened his relationship with the prime minister to that of a father and son, a remark that has now gone viral and helped fuel the national “daddy” narrative.

Prime Minister Philip Davis has dismissed calls for Campbell’s removal, insisting their personal relationship has no bearing on the process, saying, “many people calls me daddy.”

It was against that backdrop that Ingraham stepped on stage.

Hubert Ingraham – Former Prime Minister

“Fellow FNM’s, I hear daddy been here…well, papa reach.”

That line was the former PM’s way of signalling two things: his re-entry into national political discourse, and his willingness to confront the “daddy” narrative head-on.

However, he didn’t stop there.

“Just a word of advice to daddy. Brave, my friend, I want you to know that Fox and Sebas does call Perry Christie daddy. A word of advice is enough.”

Beyond the jabs, Ingraham told supporters his real purpose was to endorse Brian Brown, a man he says has shown loyalty to the constituency long after others would have walked away.

Ingraham reminded supporters Brown kept his office open after his 2021 loss, continued helping residents with everyday concerns, and faced the same neglect they face from pothole-filled roads to ageing public spaces.

Hubert Ingraham – Former Prime Minister

“He didn’t pick up his Georgie bundle and leave. He never closed his constituency office, he remained here, he listened to your complaints, and he helped wherever he could.”

The former prime minister argued Brown’s deep ties to the area, and history as a campaign general for the late Charles Maynard, and Vaughn miller, make him uniquely positioned to serve, drawing comparisons to Frank Watson’s 20-year legacy.

“You have not had representation like Frank Watson since he’s been gone. I believe Brian Brown could be your next Frank Watson,” Ingraham said.

Eight minutes into his 12-minute speech, Ingraham addressed what many voters have been asking since Monday, whether the election could be at risk of being stolen.

Hubert Ingraham – Former Prime Minister

“Don’t concern yourself with whether they could thief an election from you. You can’t thief an election in The Bahamas. We got too many guardrails, we got too many rules and whatnot. Too many experienced people for that to happen.”

With turnout expected to be critical in the outcome of Monday’s vote, Ingraham ended his remarks by warning supporters the stakes stretch far beyond Golden Isles.

Hubert Ingraham – Former Prime Minister

“If they win the election on Monday coming, they gon hold an early election. By March, you’ll be in the polls. If they don’t win, they gon stench, you take it from me.

“So I’ve come tonight to ask you a very simple question. To vote for yourself, for your children, for your community, and for your country.”