With much public infighting transpiring the past few weeks within the Free National Movement, the party got some good news yesterday swearing in two new senators in the persons of Senator Dr. Duane Sands and Senator Monique Gomez.
In attendance at yesterday’s Senate opening was former Prime Minister and leader of the Free National Movement Hubert Ingraham, who said he came to show his support for the new senators.
“I came today to show my support for Dr. Duane Sands and Monique Gomez as senators they both have a great contribution to make to The Bahamas, With Dr. Sands I’ve been asking the leader of the FNM for the last four years to appoint him to the Senate.
“I’m glad he accepted that request and I thank him very much, as far as Ms. Gomez, I’ve also been asking about her and I heard that she is a very good person,” Mr. Ingraham said.
Sands, who has been the topic of much conversation this past week with his announcement of a team of himself Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner challenging current leader Dr. Hubert Minnis and Deputy Leader Dr. Peter Turnquest at the FNM Convention next month.
Ingraham reiterated his longstanding support for Dr. Sands who he feels has an extremely bright future in politics.
“I appointed him to the Central Bank Board and Chairman of The Bahamas Mortgage Corporation, I found him to be very focused on public policy.
“He has very good ideas, hard worker and someone I think will make a major contribution to the political, social and economic development of The Bahamas. I’ve been pushing for him to become a senator ever since I gave up the office of the Prime Minister after I was defeated,” Mr. Ingraham said.
Dr. Sands said while Ingraham is mum on his support for him as a candidate in the FNM Convention he is hoping to have the former leader’s support.
“I am hoping that it does,” he said.
“ I think that time will tell. But I believe that absolutely it does.
“He has continued to be an important figure in Bahamian politics over the years. To have him here this morning for this most historic occasion – for me and I’m sure for Senator Gomez was a special treat.”
In regards to Senator Gomez, Mr. Ingraham says that even though Gomez is a relatively fresh face, after there was a vacancy in the Senate she was considered for the position.
After some consultation with persons within the FNM he also joined in expressing his support for her.
Mr. Ingraham also responded to rumors that say he may be making a possible political return by saying he is not coming back.
Mr. Ingraham declined to comment on the current infighting in the Free National Movement saying that he will make with public statement when the time is right.
