Days after the conclusion of the controversial Free National Movement (FNM) 2016 Convention, the party’s Chairman Sidney Collie said the FNM is stronger than ever, ready to take on the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) in the next General Election.
As Dr. Hubert Minnis has once again emerged as leader of the FNM, Mr. Collie assured that the party is unified and bracing itself to defeat the PLP.
“The PLP has been a grave and disastrous disappointment and the Bahamian people want them out. We have heard the cry of the people,” he said in a statement.
Mr. Collie additionally pointed out that the three-day convention was executed without any evidence of corruption.
Meantime, he applauded the convention committee and subcommittees for going beyond the call of duty ensuring the integrity of the process was maintained.
“The composition of the convention committee and the 12 sub-committees consisted of a wide cross section of party members and supporters,” he said.
“By all accounts the convention committee achieved its goal. The FNM appreciates their hard work and wants to sincerely thank them all for a job well done and looks forward to fully engaging with all of them in its general election campaign machinery,” Mr. Collie added.
A day before the election, Long Island Member of Parliament Loretta Butler-Turner expressed disgust that the convention’s committee had performed unconstitutionally.
Offering an example, Mrs. Butler -Turner charged that the group neglected to provide a copy of the convention’s programme for parties who needed it; despite the party’s constitution stating that the programme should be released seven days before the convention.
On the final morning of the convention, the Long Island MP, via social media, advised her supporters to refrain from Friday’s electoral process, asserting that it was “corrupt and intimidating”.
“Please understand that this corruption and intimidation cannot be validated. I thank you and I love you. You know I am not afraid. I simply believe we must expose the level of organised corruption and crime there is in this party under Hubert Minnis,” she said.
