“The Unfulfilled Promise of Majority Rule”

Free National Movement Carmichael Candidate, Arinthia S. Komolafe

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The attainment of majority rule on January 10, 1967 was a watershed moment for the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. It ranks high in Bahamian history in terms of significance with the achievement of political independence in 1973.

Fifty nine (59) years later, has the promise of majority rule been fulfilled and does the majority actually rule in The Bahamas? Have we substituted one form of oppression and marginalization with another? Does the celebration of Majority Rule Day unite or divide us as a people? Does majority rule belong to all Bahamians?

Essence of Majority Rule

On that fateful day in 1967, our nation witnessed a seismic shift in its political landscape as the nation’s leadership and parliamentary representation reflected the majority of Bahamians. It was the culmination of the agitation, struggles, sacrifices and determination of those who came before us. Majority rule ushered in an era of hope for Bahamians to determine our own destiny as a nation.

It was indeed the unwavering and consistent belief of our forebears that a better Bahamas was achievable that motivated them to fight to ensure equity, equality and fairness in our society. They held true to the notion that all Bahamians regardless of their social class, gender, creed, religion, political affiliation and race should have equal opportunity in our Bahamaland. Our forefathers and foremothers fought to ensure that all Bahamians have a voice in shaping the future and direction of our nation. They fought to ensure that power rests in the hands of all Bahamians and not a select few.

Commitment to a Cause

Majority rule hits home to this writer more than the stories and documentaries aired on national television. This writer is reminded of the story told by her maternal grandmother – the late Hilda Francina Cooper – a suffragette as she recounted the Women’s Suffrage Movement and events leading up to Majority Rule Day. Grammy Hilda, despite being pregnant at the time, went from door to door to obtain signatures to petition the government in the fight for women’s suffrage and universal suffrage. She believed in a cause greater than her own dreams and was committed to a common loftier goal.

The fight of Grammy Hilda’s generation was a collective one that included Bahamians from all walks of life and political affiliations. Majority rule was and is therefore a victory for all Bahamians. The truth is that members and supporters of the FNM, PLP and others are children and descendants of these freedom fighters. In 2026, we face a different reality from that of Grammy Hilda but for what cause do we unite and against which injustices do we stand as one?

Politicizing Majority Rule

Almost six decades after the attainment of majority rule, this momentous event has still not truly united us as a people. The Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) either by design or unintentionally, has

sought to claim sole ownership of this Bahamian victory. Revisionists and persons who wish to rewrite our history have repeatedly told a version of the story which glorifies the proverbial hunter solely as the PLP.

The skewed version of the tale of majority rule ignores or minimizes the role of non-supporters and former members of the PLP in the achievement of majority rule. It is common knowledge that there would have been no majority rule without the late Sir Randol Fawkes (Labor) and Sir Alvin Braynen (Independent). The revised account also conveniently erases the contributions of the Dissident Eight led by the former leader of the Free National Movement (FNM) and Opposition Leader – the late Sir Cecil V. Wallace-Whitfield. In fact, many do not know that Sir Cecil was the Chairman of the PLP at the time majority rule was attained and served as Minister of Works as well as Minister of Education and Culture until 1970 when he resigned from the PLP Cabinet. The politicization of an event that ought to unite Bahamians gives some credence to the argument by His Excellency, Dr. Elliston Rahming that the holiday should be renamed “One Bahamas Day” albeit this dilutes the significance of the current name.

Promises Kept and Not Kept

While there are some amongst us that would have Bahamians believe that we have made no progress in our nation since majority rule was achieved, history exposes such rhetoric as a fallacy. This is factually incorrect and intellectual dishonesty at best. It is however true that we have not lived up to our full potential as a nation. Prime Ministers Pindling, Ingraham, Christie, Minnis and Davis have all played their part in nation building with varying results. Alas, in 2026, the state of our healthcare system, roads, public infrastructure, education system and government accountability to the majority leaves much to be desired. When considered with the immigration crisis and the cost of living crisis which has Bahamians struggling to make ends meet, the populace faces significant challenges today.

The promise of real liberation, meaningful empowerment and the journey to true emancipation remains unfulfilled in a Bahamas where economic independence continues to elude the majority of Bahamians. Many are of the view that the old form of oppression that majority rule sought to rectify has been replaced by a new form of oppression as the previously oppressed has now become the oppressor of the majority of Bahamians. The oligarchy pre-Majority Rule has been substituted by another oligarchic regime created by the government. Majority of our people find themselves marginalized by the same people that majority rule ushered into political leadership. The wealth is still not common in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

Our Vote is our Voice

As we mark Majority Rule Day this year with a general election approaching, let us remember that our forebears paid the price for the right to vote that we enjoy today. Let us not take this for granted or squander our vote lest the purpose of majority rule is defeated. Let us ensure that we participate in the democratic process by choosing the people we want to lead us. Bahamians should register, verify, transfer in and vote when the general election is called. After all, our vote is our voice.

The Bahamas has historically enjoyed a high voter turnout. This is a trend that we ought to keep alive by coming out in large numbers to exercise the franchise to vote. Our people have always stayed engaged and played their part in charting the course for our country. This is a tradition we should sustain. Our involvement in choosing our leaders has ensured that we maintain a robust economy and remain the envy of the Caribbean. Are we a perfect nation? No we are not. Are we living up to our full potential? No we are not. Can we do more and can we do better? Yes we can and we must. We owe this to those who came before us and to future generations.

Happy Majority Rule Day!

Arinthia S. Komolafe