A six week search has ended with the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) securing a new lead spokesman.

Local businessman Andrew Wilson was on Tuesday elected the party’s new interim chairman, beating out several other contenders.

He replaces Mark Humes who resigned from the party back in July.

“We had a number of people – four people – who were interested in changing this country and they put themselves forward,” DNA Deputy Leader, Christopher Mortimer explained.

“There was an interview during which they explained what their views were for the best interests of the country, how we could move it forward and at the end of the day, all the executives came around the table and had an election process.”

“We have no doubt that the new interim chairman will lead the charge with the vision of the DNA and that is to transform The Bahamas into a nation where Bahamians will be esteemed as the most precious resource…”

Mr. Wilson has been with the DNA since its inception two years ago.

He said he decided to join the party because he is convinced there is no difference between the governing Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) and the Free National Movement (FNM).

“They are “two sides of the same coin with no innovative, clear, game-changing solutions to the challenges facing the nation,” he said.

Grateful for the opportunity to “chart a brighter future for the country, Mr. Wilson said he intends to use his talents and years of experience to advance his party’s mission to ensure that Bahamians become owners and decision makers in the country’s political, cultural and economic development and to uphold, protect and deepen the democratic rule of law.

A graduate of the Harvard Business School Management Program, Mr. Wilson heads the Quality Group of Companies (QBC) which consists of Quality Business Centre Limited, Radio Shack, Quality Apparels and Quality Fence & Rails.

He will serve as the party’s interim chairman until its convention sometime next year when all positions will be up for grabs.

According to Mr. Mortimer’s the DNA’s short-term goals include getting its message out. Its long term focus is winning the 2017 General Election.

“Everything that was said and promised, nothing has materialised in 16 months – nothing that moves this country forward,” he said.

“…The government is trying but obviously, we need more than people just trying. We need a genuine effort to make it happen. Forty years forward, we are no better…We expected to be further and quite frankly, we think it’s time for a new direction.”