After being offered an olive branch, in the form of a Free National Movement nomination, Long Island Member of Parliament Loretta Butler -Turner yesterday confirmed that she has rejected the nomination.
In an interview with The Bahama Journal, Mrs. Butler-Turner said she “unequivocally” rejected any offer by party leader Dr. Hubert Minnis.
“I am not accepting anything Dr. Minnis offers me,” Mrs. Butler- Turner said.
This statement by the Long Island MP came only days after she said she will not be leaving the FNM.
During the final evening of the FNM 2016 Convention last week Friday, Dr. Minnis while delivering his speech, extended the olive branch to each of the six FNM MPs who previously agitated for his removal as leader, to join him on the stage.
However, none of the six accepted his offer that night.
Those MPs include Long Island MP Loretta Butler –Turner, St Anne’s MP Hubert Chipman, Central Grand Bahama MP Neko Grant, Montagu MP Richard Lightbourn, North Eleuthera MP Theo Neilly and Fort Charlotte MP Dr Andre Rollins.
Yesterday Mrs. Butler-Turner confirmed that she and her former Deputy Hopeful, Dr. Duane Sands rejected every offer that was made within closed meetings conducted on Friday morning at the Melia Cable Beach Resort.
FNM Deputy Leader Peter Turnquest that night remarked that each of the six MPs would be an asset not only to the party, but the country.
“It is our hope that they will accept our offer to continue to be a valuable part of this leadership team. We have made significant offers to both to demonstrate our commitment to them and we earnestly hope they will accept,” said Mr. Turnquest.
Also confirming rejection of a nomination was Dr. Andre Rollins, who in a statement yesterday, said he will not be accepting the party’s nomination.
Dr. Rollins also said that he has requested that Dr. Minnis rescind his appointment as Shadow Minister for National Security.
Meantime, during the final night of the convention, Dr. Minnis assured members of his party that the party will emerge stronger than ever post convention.
“It is time to unite. We are one FNM. Divided we fall but together we stand,” Dr. Minnis said.
“It should not matter what your last name is or where you live. Our Bahamas must work for you. It does not matter if you’re a child of poverty or own a business or you’re a man or a woman; our country must be filled with boundless opportunities and realistic dreams. Our Bahamas must work for you,” he continued.
