The Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) is preparing to launch a fierce campaign against Greg Gomez in the party’s bid to capture victory in the North Abaco bye-election.

PLP Chairman Bradley Roberts Sunday questioned the credibility of Mr. Gomez who has been ratified as the Free National Movement’s (FNM) candidate for the North Abaco seat.

“Like many Bahamians I too have asked the question, who is Greg Gomez,” Mr. Roberts said as he addressed a luncheon to commemorate the installation of officers and executives of the New Providence Women’s Branch of the PLP.

“We are advised that he has lived outside of The Bahamas for more than eight years. Our search of his employment in the United States has proven fruitless. It is clear that in the mind of Hubert Ingraham, Gomez is special as he delayed his resignation to allow Gomez to meet the residency requirement under the Elections Act. I strongly believe that voters are entitled to know detailed information about each candidate so that they can make an informed electoral decision based on the facts before them.”

Former North Abaco Member of Parliament Hubert Ingraham delayed his resignation from the House of Assembly following the FNM’s crushing defeat at the polls last May until August 31.

Prior to that date, Mr. Gomez would not have been eligible to run as a candidate because he would not have met election residency requirements which dictate a candidate must have been residing in the country for at least a year in order to run.

Mr. Gomez lived outside the country for several years where he reportedly worked in the United States.

“I think Mr. Roberts is good spin and innuendo so to try and create a story when there is none is something that he is quite good at,” Dr. Sands said. “Mr. Gomez has close ties to the North Abaco community – he is a son of the soil, he is a family man and he is an excellent candidate for North Abaco. Any attempts to cast him another light are entirely political and I would not expect anything else from Mr. Roberts – so if this is as good as he can do – thank you very much – go ahead and see if it has any credence or if it sticks.”

The Progressive Liberal Party has again ratified as its candidate for North Abaco Renardo Curry who ran unsuccessfully in the general election.

Addressing the same luncheon Sunday, Prime Minister Perry Christie called on all PLP’s to play their role in ensuring the party picks up a 30th seat in the House of Assembly.

He also hinted at possibly holding for the first time ever a Cabinet Meeting in North Abaco at government offices built by the former administration.

“When I went down there I said that the offices that Hubert Ingraham had built for himself in Abaco – I realised that luck would have that since it appeared that he built the room big enough for a Cabinet Meeting it would be the PLP would hold the first Cabinet Meeting in North Abaco,” the prime minister said.

Mr. Ingraham represented North Abaco in the House of Assembly from 1977 until his retirement at the end of August.

He was first elected as a candidate for the PLP, then as an independent candidate and finally as a member of the FNM.

Candidates will be officially nominated on Wednesday and the bye-election will take place on October 15.