Bahamas: Contest for leadership of opposition party heats up | Loop Caribbean News – Loop News Caribbean

Some FNM supporters shouted one leader in support of Pintard, who was flanked by Symonette and another former deputy prime minister, Peter Turnquest, when he went to the partys headquarters to sign his nomination papers.

I am 69, its time for us to step aside and let the younger generation have control of the country and run it because they have great ideas and they are great people, Symonette said, adding you know what the FNM wouldve won the last general election if their supporters had turned out to vote.

If you look at the number of people that did not turn out to vote and the majority of the reason that they did not turn out to vote, I think its a proven fact that they did not support the Minnis government.

So thats another reason to give the young man Mr Pintard a chance because when Dr Minnis had a chance, it didnt work out. Step aside and let the new generation take over and run this country, he said.

But Minnis, who resigned as leader in 2021 and has never lost a contest at the FNM convention, said he wants to return as the leader of the party because he has unfinished business.

Many have asked why have I at this time put forth my nomination, especially when the press and many others were asking me this one important question for well over a year now and I had refused to answer such a question.

My view is and I would hope others would share a similar view, we had a leader of the party. Michael Pintard was a duly elected leader of the Free National Movement and there was no other post available at that time, and as leader, I respected that position, and I respected all other positions within the party.

But once a convention is called, then all posts become available and at that time, I think everybody who wants to be nominated for a post can come forth and express their views, but until then I think we should respect those who are in positions and that was the reason, Minnis said after handing in his nomination papers.

The FNMs one-day convention will be held at Baha Mar on June 1 and Minnis said I have not completed some of the things I wanted to do.

My most happiest moments in politics are when I see young people exceed, when I see young people become entrepreneurs and doing well. Thats my most happiest moment in politics.

My most saddened moment in politics is when I see individuals come into politics saying they want to serve the country, and then you discover that they are more interested in serving themselves, that is very depressing.

Former health minister Renward Wells, has thrown his support behind Minnis, saying I saw his leadership.

I saw the kind of character he put forward in chaos, in challenge, and to me that was admirable. I saw his leadership in trying and testing times and so I grew fond of that kind of leadership, he added.

For his part, Pintard is supporting a generational shift, noting we recognise clearly that while we owe a debt of gratitude to those who have served us in the past, we owe no one our future except our children and our grandchildren.

The convention is important. What we have had is persons who have an alternative view of our country and how the party should be run. It is our obligation to give all and sundry an opportunity to share their alternative vision and let the delegates decide.

He reminded supporters that in the last election, the country determined Minnis leadership was not appropriate, not adequate, and again thats not lost on our delegates as well.

We believe that while grateful for all that has been done by past leadership, we offer better and have been delivering and will continue to deliver better, said Pintard, who at the last convention received 297 votes to Kwasi Thompsons 120.

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Bahamas: Contest for leadership of opposition party heats up | Loop Caribbean News - Loop News Caribbean