Even though the post he is running for is not being contested, Opposition Leader Dr. Hubert Minnis said he is excited about the level of competition surrounding top posts within the Free National Movement (FNM).
Many in the party are contesting the deputy leadership post as well as the party’s chairmanship post.
“It shows democracy at its best level,” Dr. Minnis told the Bahama Journal recently. “Individuals have put their names forward for all the different posts and that’s a good thing. This will prove to be a very good convention.”
“I think the convention allows the democratic process to happen where people campaign and I would hope that whoever comes out victorious that the entire party continues to work together so that within the next five years we would be able to remove the present government and be back where we were before.”
The race for deputy leader of the FNM will include former FNM candidate for Englerston Gladys Johnson-Sands and Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner.
Former Bamboo Town candidate Cassius Stuart had previously announced his intention to join the deputy leadership race. However, yesterday he announced that he was dropping out.
Former Youth, Sports and Culture Minister Charles Maynard and former FNM Senator, Anthony Musgrove are all jockeying for the chairman post.
Former FNM Elizabeth candidate, Dr. Duane Sands, Deputy FNM Chairman Michael Turnquest, former FNM candidate for Carmichael Darron Cash and former State Minister for the Environment Phenton Neymour are all vying for the deputy chairman post.
Earlier this week, the party said it was pleased with the vast array of contenders who are stepping forward. The group includes seasoned political leaders and newcomers.
“The convention promises to be both exciting and transformative as the FNM shows that it has heard the voice of the Bahamian electorate, and is prepared to respond positively and proactively to meet the challenges of being the official opposition, while laying a firm and enduring foundation for an early return to government,” an FNM press statement said.
“This is especially so as it becomes more and more obvious to hurting and long-suffering Bahamians that the newly elected, conflict of interest laden, PLP Government gained their support by false promises of a quick fix to the vexing problems of a depressed global and national economy, the home mortgage crisis, as well as the increasingly high and unacceptable levels of violent crime and murders on our streets.”
The FNM’s one-day convention is scheduled for this Saturday at the Holy Trinity Activity Centre.
The theme of the Convention is “Ignite the Future” and is expected to begin at 8:00 a.m.
The opening ceremony is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. Former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham will give his farewell address.
