Former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham. (File photo)
By RASHAD ROLLE and JADE RUSSELL
Tribune Reporters
FORMER Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham advised Free National Movement leader Michael Pintard not to contest the upcoming by-election for West End Grand Bahama and Bimini.
Mr Pintard revealed this to FNM council members during a private meeting at the party’s headquarters last night, according to two sources who spoke anonymously because they were not authorised to discuss internal party matters.
Mr Pintard and Mr Ingraham declined to comment when The Tribune contacted them last night.
Mr Pintard, presenting a balanced case to council members before they voted on the matter, said Mr Ingraham reflected on the history of by-elections in the country and concluded they favour the Progressive Liberal Party. Mr Ingraham, he reportedly said, believes the party would be best served focusing on the next general election.
The PLP won the only two by-elections held this century: in 2012 after Mr Ingraham resigned as MP for North Abaco and in 2010 after Malcolm Adderley resigned as Elizabeth’s MP.
Ultimately, the FNM’s council unanimously voted last night to contest the by-election to replace Obie Wilchcombe, who died unexpectedly on Monday. Senior members believe it would be unseemly for a party of the FNM’s stature not to run a candidate.
The meeting further established Bishop Ricardo Grant as the frontrunner to be nominated for the constituency, reportedly backed by the leaders of the West End Grand Bahama and Bimini constituency associations. Bishop Grant has been working in the constituency and is said to be known to residents there.
The picture within the Progressive Liberal Party is less clear.
“As the country is in mourning, it is inappropriate for the Progressive Liberal Party to be accepting any requests or expressions of interest for candidacy before the funeral or any formal processes in parliamentary law have begun,” PLP chairman Fred Mitchell said in a statement yesterday.
Meanwhile, Parliamentary clerk David Forbes said House Speaker Patricia Deveaux had not yet formally informed Governor General Cynthia “Mother” Pratt about Wilchcombe’s death, an action that would kickstart the official process leading to the election.
“She will be doing it in very short order,” he said.
He said some people are misinformed about the protocol.
“You have to remember that the Speaker of the House has to have proper notice,” he said. “You may hear people out there saying that the political party, or the governor, or the government should advise the Speaker, but that’s not true.”
“The political party nor the government can sign death notices. Death notices can only be signed by the coroner,” he added.
“The coroner has to inform the Speaker or the attorney general. If the coroner informs the attorney general, the attorney general will then send a copy of that to the Speaker. The Speaker has to be properly notified, and that notification can’t come from anybody else except the person who is able to sign the death certificate, which is the coroner.”
Mr Wilchcombe’s death creates voids in the executive and the legislature, given his role as a minister and the leader of government business in the House of Assembly. The Royal Bahamas Police Force is expected to host a press conference today about next week’s Opening of Parliament, an event Mr Wilchcombe was helping to organise before he died.
Office of the Prime Minister director of communications Latrae Rahming said Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis had assumed the duties of Minister of Social Services, Information and Broadcasting.
“At the appropriate time, he will appoint a substantive minister,” he said yesterday. “The government is focused on celebrating the life and legacy of Minister Wilchcombe.”
Comments
ExposedU2C 7 months, 1 week ago
A simple message to this political dinosaur who refuses to become extinct:
"Shortly after becoming PM in 1992 you allowed the Chinese Communist Party to set up shop in our nation and allowed the OECD to embark on its unrelening campaign to decimate our nation's financial services sector. WITH NO RESPECT DUE, AND HAVING DONE MORE THAN ENOUGH DAMAGE TO OUR COUNTRY, PLEASE BUTT OUT AND GO BACK TO FISHING!!"
John 7 months, 1 week ago
Geesh! The headline said more about Ingraham than the article. and in fact the article confirmed that Ingraham had no comment on the matter.. Neverthelessl if Ingraham did offer such I’ll advice it should be ignored FULLY. Whilst it is highly unlikely for an opposition party or a non-government party candidate to win an election ( remember the governing party has acces to the public treasury and influence over civil servants), the FNM should not miss this opportunity to test the political waters, especially during this half time mark and see where the mindset and political heartbeat of the electorate is. For the PLP, not winning the seat spells disaster For the FNM not winning the seat is not as important as analyzing the number and getting the sentiments of the people. As for Hubert Ingraham, whether he offered such I’ll and wicked advice or not, clearly the Ingraham era is over. As Irrelevant as these macabre ads one has to scroll past to blog in this place. Intentional? Probably.
Dawes 7 months, 1 week ago
they should stand, as its not fair on the voters to not at least give them an option.
TalRussell 7 months, 1 week ago
First, the American tourists are told to avoid a certain area of Freeport's Port Lucaya. --- But what's with the RedShirts' uneasiness over running a candidate? --- With this in mind, still one of the colony's leading political "psephologists", says.."Papa'' Hubert, may be dead-on right with his take on the Special Freeport election. --- Yes?
John 7 months, 1 week ago
Ingraham is dead on wrong, no pun intended You been around ( like Ingraham) long enough to know that not contesting the election will be interpreted by the Bahamian electorate as not being ready or not being qualified to form the government of the Bahamas. As for tourists being to avoid Port Lucaya this is an ongoing battle. And once the new ‘private’ port opens, the economy of Freeport will suffer even more. Only a few of the hand picked ‘Unca Toms’ will be able to access the port and sing ( or dance) for their supper. Tourists were being told for years to avoid the straw market in Nassau and some lie to the effect that the straw work c was contaminated with bugs and would not be allowed on the ship. Other stores downtown were blacklisted if they didn’t tip the cruise directors. Watch what is happening on Bay Street. The port is extending its tents and more and more Bahamians, including bud and tour drivers are being disenfranchised, by stupid, Iii informed and poorly trained and spiteful police officers. Ignorant to the fact that when they deny Bahamians, their own people, the opportunity to earn a dollar, it lessens the chance that government will have money to pay them in the near future. Envision in the near future where Bay Street in the extending areas of the port will become a secure area ( despite there being no threats from Bahamians) with very restricted access for Bahamians.
killemwitdakno 7 months, 1 week ago
Shut up bwoy. Fire seat for sure !🔥!🔥
This will be about advocating for that ministry despite it not being a cabinet appointment. As far as I'm concerned , Social Services is non--existent in GB. Freeport SS number don't even answer. There's no urgent assistance in the night. You're required to visit the location in person when you won't have a ride. Ask information for a shelter and they expect you to know the names (granted they must be private anyway) and don't even suggest connecting you to SS. Ask a church and they have no gov't info. Ask police about eviction and they don't suggest SS for shelter or other immediate crisis assistance either. If you get SS, they don't even ask all the right questions to make sure they're helping the situation. Were ppl supposed to call Obie directly for hotel and travel money? Only a women's drug dealer acquaintances can offer a stay.. Not pleased.
Obie was even offered to leave the ministry.
Hold their feet, this is a democracy for that very reason.
Reds NEVER scared.
IslandWarrior 7 months, 1 week ago
As a 'supporter' of the Free National Movement (FNM), it is worth acknowledging that while the party desires to triumph over the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP), the current FNM leadership and management do not offer credible guidance and organization that the Bahamas requires. Regrettably, the current FNM lineup and leadership fall short in comparison to the formidable 'Brave/Chester' administration. The PLP is a disappointment defaulting back to its old practices of petty politics; nevertheless, this is the stark reality.
Maynergy 7 months, 1 week ago
Bahamas and Island Territories: 2023:
There is no need to contest the seat vacated by Obie. Are you hearing me?
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID