In a striking political development, former Bahamian Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis has publicly criticized members of his former party, the Free National Movement (FNM), for abandoning their original constituencies to seek election in different electoral districts. The remarks came during his Monday appearance on ‘Beyond the Headlines with Shenique Miller,’ where he simultaneously confirmed his intention to run as an independent candidate in the upcoming general election from his long-held Killarney constituency.
Dr. Minnis drew sharp contrasts between his own consistent representation of Killarney since 2007 and what he characterized as politically opportunistic movements by fellow FNM members. ‘Regardless of how they cut it, I’m staying in Killarney unlike many others who have ran from one constituency to another,’ he stated during the broadcast interview.
When pressed to identify specific individuals, the former Prime Minister declined to name names but pointed to extensive media coverage of these constituency changes. He suggested psychological motivations behind these electoral moves, remarking, ‘I don’t know if individuals are running. They must be afraid of something. So they’d have to inform us what that fear is all about, but I’m not afraid of it.’
The phenomenon appears widespread within FNM ranks. Dr. Duane Sands, the party chairman and former Elizabeth constituency representative who lost to Progressive Liberal Party’s JoBeth Coleby-Davis in 2021, is now seeking nomination in Bamboo Town. Similarly, Travis Robinson, who previously represented Bain and Grants Town from 2017-2021 before losing his seat, is now pursuing the Fort Charlotte constituency. Even FNM deputy leader Shanendon Cartwright, currently representing St Barnabas, has been officially ratified as the party’s candidate for the newly created St James constituency.
This public criticism from the former party leader signals deepening fractures within FNM leadership and highlights the strategic repositioning occurring within Bahamian politics ahead of the next general election.