National

“This Is Not a Farewell, It’s a Transition Guided By Principal”

NASSAU, THE BAHAMAS – A chapter closed in the Senate thursday as Free National Movement Senator Maxine Seymour formally tendered her resignation, fighting back tears while signaling a deliberate transition after nearly two full legislative cycles.

Published

1 hour ago

February 5, 2026

Delvardo Emmanuel

Our Delvardo Emmanuel reports.

“ Madam President. I rise today with gratitude, humility, and a deep sense of responsibility. To formally tender my resignation from the Senate of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas” – Maxine Seymour

Free National Movement Senator Maxine Seymour, fighting back tears Thursday as she delivered her final address in the upper chamber.

Seymour, first appointed to the senate in 2021, formally announced her resignation, bringing to a close nearly two cycles of legislative service and advocacy.

The senator offered no specific details about her departure.

“ This is not a farewell, born of fatigue nor a retreat. It is a transition guided by principal.
Public service is never meant to be comfortable. It is meant to be consequential. It asks of us. Not only conviction, but courage. Not only ambition but restraint. It demands that we know when to standfirm and when to step forward in a different way. “ – Seymour

Colleagues from both sides of the aisle paid tribute to her contributions.

“She never allowed the abuse of a child or the death untimely demise of a child to go unnoticed by Bahamians, and I believe even others followed.
She’s a nationalist at heart who came to work every day to do her best, and the interest of the Bahamian people” – Darren Henfield

“ I don’t think a lot of these words, any. Other time, Madam President, but she did keep our feet to the fire and um, she did so. She did so Madam President. Without acrimony and without malice.” – Michael Halkitis

As for who will replace her, The Free National Movement announced Nicole Martin will be appointed.

President of the Senate Lashell Adderley praised Seymour’s significant contributions to various debates and called Seymour a “voice to the voiceless.”

“ Your contributions. We’re not just limited to the Senate body, but community service where it mattered most to advocacy, to the rule of law and to democratic principles. You did an yeoman’s job with your contributions. “ – Lashell Adderley