Former FNM candidate wants Minnis to resign

As of Friday, April 1, 2016

Cassius Stuart

By TANEKA THOMPSON

Tribune News Editor

tmthompson@tribunemedia.net

FORMER Free National Movement candidate for Bamboo Town Cassius Stuart has called for the “immediate resignation” of FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis, saying the Killarney MP has not proven he can lead the party or the country.

Mr Stuart’s scathing criticism was posted on his Facebook page yesterday.

“After seeing the events of the past week in the press regarding the leadership of my party, I am disgusted and disheartened at the direction in which Dr Minnis is leading the FNM.

“As a member of the party, I am demanding his immediate resignation as leader. Dr Minnis has not in any way proven that he can effectively lead the FNM, much less the country.

“If the FNM is to stand a chance in the next elections, a new, dynamic leadership needs to emerge forthwith. The FNM needs a 1992 experience if it is to remain relevant, when a young, (dynamic) leader took the mantle and fired up the troops and (led) them into an overwhelming general election victory,” he said, referring to former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham.

“The FNM needs to restructure its leadership team which will in turn reignite its base and give the organisation new life. Reformation must come or the party will die.”

Mr Stuart joined the FNM shortly before the last general election after several years of leading the now defunct Bahamas Democratic Party. After the FNM lost the 2012 election, he considered running for the party’s deputy leader post ,however, he did not follow through after he was caught in controversy for claiming he could make the FNM “sexy.”

Dr Minnis did not offer comment when contacted yesterday.

However, a well-placed source in the party, who did not want to be named, scoffed at Mr Stuart’s criticism, accusing him and others of taking “pot shots” while sitting on the sidelines.

“I am unimpressed by people like Cassius who have absented themselves from the party since election night,” the FNM source said.

“What does he know about the struggle, the contributions and the sacrifice (Dr Minnis) has made while fighting inside and outside forces? I respect the voices of those in the trenches with us, fighting for the FNM and our team.”

The source added: “These guys, including some of the older ones whose glory days are done, seek relevance at the expense of the party and ultimately the country. They think it’s a game but people’s lives are at stake. Rather than get in the arena with us and help to strengthen our hand - mentor, train and teach - they sit back and criticise.”

This comes a day after former Deputy Prime Minister Frank Watson, who served in an Ingraham administration, said some members of the FNM were clamouring for an early convention.

“Many persons want an early convention, but people don’t realise that the final say will come from the Free National Movement’s Executive Council,” Mr Watson told The Tribune on Wednesday, as he revealed that meetings have taken place to discuss the party’s next move.

Asked if Dr Minnis should step down as leader, Mr Watson replied: “Everyone has to decide for themselves what they want.”

Some members of the FNM are reportedly upset by Dr Minnis’ admission to The Tribune last week that he met three times with Livingston “Toggie” Bullard at his home. Bullard is one of two men at the centre of an alleged murder-for-hire plot allegedly orchestrated by Lyford Cay resident Peter Nygard against his opponents.

Dr Minnis revealed that Bullard met him at his home to pass on a message to then FNM Chairman Michael Pintard that he was about to be “set up” by a high-ranking member of government and others. He also said Bullard visited him twice more to drop off fish, and also spoke with his wife.

This came a week after Dr Minnis called for the police to investigate the murder for hire allegations.

In court documents filed on March 9, Mr Pintard was named as being the person who uncovered the alleged plot after meeting with “gang members” Bullard and Davilma in early 2015.

Mr Nygard has denied the allegations and filed court documents that claim Bullard and Davilma were paid for “false testimony” against him.

Victor 8 years ago

Really, Tribune, can't you hire an editor or a fact- checker? I don't quite remember the name of Mr. Stuart's fringe party, but it wasn't the 'Bahamas Democratic Party' The Bahamas Democratic Party (BDP) was headed by Henry Bostwick and contested the 1977 election where it won 6 seats and was the official opposition until the party dissolved with some going to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and some back to the FNM. Oh, I just looked up Mr. Stuart's Party, it was the Bahamas Democratic Movement (BDM). Not the same thing as the BDP.

licks2 8 years ago

Here we go again. . .FNMs putting big nails in their own political coffin!! I think that the GOOD DOC MUST CALL AN EARLY CONVENTION. . . HE NEEDS TO DO SO TO SETTLE THE BIG QUESTION IN HIS PARTY. . .WE THE PUBLIC STILL BELIEVE THAT HE IS GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. . .BUT HIS PARTY DESIRE FOR PERSONAL POWER IS GETTING LOUDER SINCE THEY SMELL BLOOD IN THE WATER FROM THE TOGGIE AND BOBO SAGA!! GO TO CONVENTION DOC. . .AND IF YOU LOSE WATCH THE FNM DREAM TURN INTO A DNM VICTORY THE MORNING AFTER ELECTION 2017!! IF THEY MOVE DOC THEY CAN FORGET LOOKING MY WAY. . .WE HAD ENOUGH OF THE OLD GUARD HOGGING-UP EVERYTHING FOR THEM, THEIR FAMILY AND FRIENDS!!

GO TO CONVENTION NOW DOC.!!

Honestman 8 years ago

WE THE PUBLIC STILL BELIEVE THAT HE IS GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

Sorry, but I think you are misjudging the situation. Few people I speak to with FNM leanings believe Minnis is heading in the right direction. I think the prevailing mood is that he is not cutting it as leader of the Opposition and is incapable of cutting it. It is time for the good Doctor to look out his stethoscope and get back to doing what he was trained to do. Minnis has no political instincts whatsoever and the FNM's credibility is diminishing by the day. Doctor Minnis needs to go NOW and give the FNM and the country a chance of survival. Six more years of Christie and his cohorts really would result in the Bahamas heading toward a failed State. I don't believe I am being over dramatic in saying this.

licks2 8 years ago

Bravo. . .now you see why we like him. . .he is not ya typical "slick and scheming" politician!! He is not lock-stock and barrel tied up with the big money interests and don't give a flip about the little man! I expect that the anti-Minnis people in the FNM need to get out some more. . . out of their circle of political FNM friends. . . that's not where the Doc has his better support!!

The FNM credibility is suffering by the power hungry circle of LBT who do not see that the majority of persons who are likely to vote FNM do not want her as leader. . .yet she and her friends insist on fighting their leader in public FOR POWER!!

We have had talkers and people who could "think-on-their-feet" and look where they got us. . .roasting on a spit!

The good brother is a doer. . .plus a survivor. . . AND SMART ENOUGH TO "OUT-SMART" ALL THEM PERSONS WITH POLITICAL INSTINCTS. Oh and by the way. . .we also noticed that somebody was teaching him how to speak better! A poor speaker can be trained to speak well. . .but a slick political power grabber cannot be trained to be honest and fair. . .THAT WHERE HE BESTS LBT IN OUR EYESIGHTS. . .HE HAS OUTSTANDING SURVIVAL INSTINCTS. . .THAT DUDE HAS THE METAL WITHOUT THE TRICKERY. . .AND HE CAN LEARN TO SPEAK BETTER. . .WE CAN WAIT FOR HIM TO LEARN. . . BE OUR PM AND PUT SOME OF THEM SURVIVAL SKILLS TO USE FOR THIS NATION!

BY THE TIME WE MAY LEARN TO TRUST LBT TO NOT SELL US OUT TO THE MONIED PEOPLE. . ."NATION FOR SALE AGAIN" . . . SORRY!

WE DON'T TRUST HER BACKING BY THAT HEAVY RICH, WHITE CLASS. . . THAT SAYS A LOT ON "MY" STREETS. . .MAYBE NOT YOURS!

Honestman 8 years ago

I repeat "Minnis has no political instincts whatsoever" and THAT cannot be taught. I am not advocating for anyone else at this moment but crossing my fingers and toes that someone credible will step forward.

themessenger 8 years ago

I hold no brief for Minnis but even less for Cassius Stuart who is just another political prostitute. Lil bit a blood in the water and the scavengers start queuing up for the scraps.

xtreme2x 8 years ago

Stuart need to go back under that rock where he been living for the pass several yrs. Or go let his father n law give him something to do

TalRussell 8 years ago

Comrade reds after consulting the spirits me Ouija board a few moments ago, unless you wants to become the laughing stock of your own supporters, can't you do better than to digs political ghosts likes Cassius, Maurice and Watson?
What I am saying - "become" the laughing stock?
You shouldn't want to just turn the pages backwards on these three best to be forgotten political characters, but rips their damn pages rights out the party's 2017 General's Game Plan book.
Oh, like you even has a 2017 General's Game Plan - much less has it written down in a book.
Probably makes sense, due what we've all been reading in the media - much too risky be writing things down - its called evidence?
One fishy here, one fishy there - no, don't bother writing that one down - smells too smelly?

licks2 8 years ago

Do ya think that the good Doc done tell Mr. Stuart that he could go find a "real" job because he will not be running him in 2017?

Doc seem to have his biggest problems with them "I een running you no more" persons in the FNM party. . .and them "Hubert Ingraham time done" persons in his party! How this dude know what is a good political party leader is? I guess he is saying that he sure knows what a political leader loser looks like?

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