FNM leader Dr Hubert Minnis.
By AVA TURNQUEST
Tribune Chief Reporter
aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
FREE National Movement Leader Dr Hubert Minnis yesterday explained that he was absent from parliament, but vowed that the final weeks of campaigning before the 2017 general elections will not be a sprint for his party, as it was described by his opponent Prime Minister Perry Christie, but a “cruise along” to the finish line.
Denying reports that he has been “running from the press”, and a national debate, Dr Minnis told reporters that he was tirelessly campaigning to oust Prime Minister Perry Christie and the Progressive Liberal Party government.
While he noted that a leadership debate was possible on the FNM’s terms, Dr Minnis would not commit to whether he would facilitate one ahead of the general elections on May 10.
“I’ve been asked and it’s said I’m running from the press,” he said, “I’ve not been to parliament for three months, there were reasons, I was not at parliament because I was out campaigning, the FNM and my focus is to take Perry Christie’s job. I want his job, my colleagues want the other ministers’ job, so I and my colleagues were out campaigning.
Dr Minnis said: “So we were not running from anyone, we were campaigning, preparing ourselves for election, now election is called (Mr Christie) he says it’s a sprint. It’s a sprint for who? We have been moving continuously all along, it’s not a sprint for us.
“We were only waiting for him to put up the finish line so that we know we can just cruise across, but we been working continuously, consistently so he will be sprinting but his sprint will be trying to catch us who have been working continuously and the people know that, the public knows that.”
Dr Minnis spoke to the press as he observed his birthday with the children at Gambier Primary School, an annual tradition that included a donation of computers to the school. Dr Minnis’ birthday is April 16.
Speaking directly to accusations that he has been “running from the press,” Dr Minnis said: “I’ve had other meetings, and even leaving here I have other engagements. I’m focusing on rescuing this country from this inept, incompetent government and we must put plans, programmes together. There are many individuals I must speak to, to get their ideas, their input, and put everything together so that when we become the government we’re ready to roll.
He said: “And that is why an unprepared individual must sprint, they sprint to catch up. A prepared individual knows where the finish line is, knows where they want to go, and they plan and they move towards it. But we were only waiting for him to say this is the date, that is the finish line and now we can continue to cruise along it.”
In a statement on Wednesday, PLP Chairman Bradley Roberts highlighted that Dr Minnis did not take questions from the press at a recent press conference, and has also refused to publicly debate Mr Christie.
“I am advised that Dr Minnis held a press conference today but refused to take questions from the press,” Mr Roberts said. “It’s shocking and unbelievable that the man who wants to be Prime Minister turns his back on the press. Minnis has also refused to debate the man he seeks to replace, Prime Minister Perry G Christie. Clearly the Bahamian people will draw the correct conclusion, that Minnis is unprepared and not ready for the high office of Prime Minister.”
“Anything is possible,” Dr Minnis said on the matter of debates, “but Bradley Roberts does not speak for the FNM, he only speaks for the PLP and we don’t listen to Bradley Roberts so he can say whatever he wants. When we’re ready it can be done, and on our terms not on Bradley Roberts’ terms, but we are focused now on removing Perry Christie and the PLP and Bradley Roberts so we don’t hear his voice ever again in this Bahamas.
“The party will have its policies and the party will determine how these things are done.”
When asked if such a debate could take place before the general election, he said: “I couldn’t say when, but our party has its policies. What Christie should be thinking about, he talking about debate, he should go down in Centreville and debate those people and explain to them how he’s mistreated them for so long, and abandoned them, and have them in a position where he has been prime minister for ten years, he has been their representative for an excess of 30 years but it’s the worst constituency in New Providence.
Dr Minnis continued: “(Christie) he should be ashamed of himself, he should be down there trying to improving the quality of life in Centreville and improve the conditions in his constituency, that’s what he should be concentrating on, not concentrating on me. Think about the Bahamas, I’m one individual.”
Comments
Well_mudda_take_sic 7 years ago
Minnis is absolutely terrified of a national televised debate because he knows full well that he is incapable of hiding under pressure his "true self" and many character flaws, including his notoriously bad temper.
Economist 7 years ago
He must have gone to a special school for double talk. Most likely the same one the current PM went to. Lots of talk but say nothing.
Lord, please send this Country a real political leader for we are truly desperate.
OldFort2012 7 years ago
He did. But we don't like the color of his skin.
Emac 7 years ago
In other words, "vote us in and we'll make up a plan." But at present, I am sure Minnis and his team don't have a clue as to how they will implement this tax free plan.
licks2 7 years ago
And you three do? Child please. . .yall been around here for years now. . .all I see or hear from yinna is faults faults faults. . .yada yada yada. . .doc dis and doc dat. . .with few cogent and viable inputs from well-mudda-take-sic at time of two! Yall three does remind me of the peanut gallery on the Muppet show. . . talk and not show use for much else! NOW DON'T GET ME WRONG. . . I do believe that if it would not for yinna "pain" because of whatever doc did to yinna. . .yall could be of some good use in the dialogue of national discourse! One of yall is Mr Laing aye?
DDK 7 years ago
They ARE ridiculous aren't they? Extremely unhelpful! Muppets. That's a good one!
Emac 7 years ago
@licks2 and DDK-Ahhh,,,you two are too funny. Firstly, let me state for the record that I have voted for the FNM from the time I was able to vote up to 2012 election, simply because the PLP is a shit party that is horrible for the Bahamas, and there weren't any other viable options. And I am pretty sure I might vote for the FNM again. And I am NOT doing so because the FNM has a dynamic team, with a golden plan to move this country forward. I am considering FNM again because...Well do I need say why???????????
Unfortunately, people like you and DDK have these politicians acting the way they do now, because you are too gullible and too drawn into political parties and the ray, ray and the raa raa, rather than demanding good and sound policies from these wanna be leaders. Please stop acting like Laura and Antoine of the PLP ,holding on to every words these politicians say as gospel.
These damn politicians are our servants. Get that thru your thick sculls!!! Until we start to hold their feet to the coal, no matter what side of the fence we belong, we will always get these old, tired, dried out, lackluster politicians like Minnis and Perry. Same old bullshit, different day.
But on a different note, the DNA's plan is looking viable and refreshed. At least their team is explain how it will going about implementing certain policies!
Well_mudda_take_sic 7 years ago
Thank you.
birdiestrachan 7 years ago
On the light side the man is far from comely. but do they really have to print a picture like the one above. give the man a break {smile)
sheeprunner12 7 years ago
Doc does not have to defend every single word he says (that is then twisted) by the PLP propaganda machinery ......... It becomes an ineffective waste of time ........ The FNM Manifesto 2017 will reveal The Vision for The People in short order .......... Bahamians stay tuned!!!!!!
Well_mudda_take_sic 7 years ago
And the wording of the FNM Manifesto 2017 when it comes to promises and commitments is so deliberately unclear, vague and watered down, with so much wriggle room, that nothing would be perceived by Minnis as binding on him if the people were ever so foolish as to allow him to become PM. And "No!" Christie is also definitely not the answer. THINK, THINK, THINK!!
Alex_Charles 7 years ago
exactly why the PLP has the best chance of winning. While the are atrocious at governance and absolute garbage at managing fiscal affairs, they have a plan, although probably a terrible one.
Weak at opposition = atrocious as governing.
No matter what happens this country will continue to decay. This place is doomed
Economist 7 years ago
The FNM Manifesto consists of a bunch of promises that the FNM can't keep. It is a ridiculous and useless piece of paper. Anyone whose average is above Grade "D" can see straight through it and the grade "d's" can't read or understand it anyway. The PLP has the same garbage. This country is in a very bad state.
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