PAGE 6, Tuesday, September 6, 2016
THE TRIBUNE
FNM selection process defended despite candidates dropping out By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net FREE National Movement Deputy Leader Peter Turnquest defended the FNM’s vetting and candidate selection processes yesterday in the wake of recent decisions by previously ratified candidates to drop out of the race. Leonard Sands and Howard Johnson, both respectively ratified to represent the FNM in the Bain and Grants Town and South Beach constituencies, have decided not to run. After being announced as an FNM candidate in January, Mr Sands, a construction engineer, officially ended his campaign last
week, citing “significant personal reasons” as his decision. Furthermore, in a statement yesterday to the press, Mr Johnson also confirmed his intention not to run in South Beach, also citing “personal reasons.” His statement came after The Nassau Guardian reported that he will go to the United States to be with his son for his final school year. The decision of both men to drop out of the race just months before the campaign season heats up has raised questions about the strength of the FNM’s candidate vetting process and the party’s ability to adequately assess whether candidates are prepared to
remain in the race for the long-haul. To this, Mr Turnquest said: “You can only do as much as people are transparent with you. As much as they are willing to concede and to provide information, that dictates what we are able to do. We do a very thorough vetting process to ensure people are financially capable and are of good character and sometimes circumstances just change in their lives. In this particular instance (of Mr Johnson), circumstances changed for multiple reasons that reflect the personal outlook of the candidates. You have to respect that and honour that. I’m proud of these men and see them as patriotic Baha-
mians for having stepped forward out of a desire to serve their country.” In the FNM, the Candidates Committee, constituency branches and the general council play a role in determining which candidate is selected to represent particular constituencies. However, the final decision ultimately rests with the party’s leader, Dr Hubert Minnis. Nonetheless, former Deputy Prime Minister Brent Symonette said yesterday that the decisions of the men were neither unusual nor “a big deal”. “These kinds of things happen,” he said. “Sometimes they make appeals to people and find there are reasons (not to run) that
they weren’t aware of. It’s nothing sinister and it’s not a reflection on anything but their own personal situations.” Both Mr Symonette and Mr Turnquest conceded, however, that financial considerations may have factored into the decision-making of Mr Johnson, Mr Sands and North Eleuthera MP Theo Neilly, who has also indicated that he won’t run for office next year. “Being involved in politics involves a lot of personal sacrifice,” Mr Turnquest said, though he cautioned that he doesn’t know specifically if money factored into the political decisions of the aforementioned men. “It is personally taxing in
need for it because if the majority of her generals, the generals who got her elected, tell the FNM ‘listen if you send her we are not supporting her we are going to do just like how we did in 2002 with Jimmy Knowles’ if the FNM goes and sends her then they deserve what they are going to get, because if they send her down there she will get beat,” Mr Wells added. Meanwhile, La-Sandra Knowles, chairwoman of the Long Island FNM Association said she didn’t have any knowledge of the petition. She attributed it to “mischief makers” on the island, adding that the association had already sent an official letter of support for the MP to the party. Another association executive member, Charles Carroll, insisted that the majority of Long Islanders continued to support Mrs Butler-Turner. He said the MP had continued to offer stellar representation in the constituency. Mr Carroll said he was told there were already 450 signatures to the petition, but he expressed doubt that this was actually the case.
He told The Tribune that many constituents remained disgruntled as they have yet to recover from damage caused by Hurricane Joaquin last October. He said: “People are disgruntled from the storm. People are still outdoors and still don’t have relief. “They (the government) gave people the vouchers for farm produce and some people took trips to Nassau to go to the farm place to collect items and they don’t have anything and people are disgruntled in every aspect. “You know as an MP people may not expect you to give them monies but they feel good when they see you have that hands on and you are right there with them. Even if you can’t help them financially at least you showing them that you care and you are there for them. I didn’t support the FNM in the last election and I definitely can’t support her this time around because she made promises that she could not keep. “Butler could have done more if she had made an effort to get something done, but nothing was done. People in Long Island are trying to figure out what’s the sense of them voting or registering because we don’t get anything,” he added.
porters, but instead bore a blanket title of “members and supporters of the Free National Movement (and) residents in the Long Island constituency”. The letter made it clear that its focus was to reject the representation of Mrs Butler-Turner if she is nominated for the 2017 general election. It further branded her as “divisive”. “One must be able to follow, before one can lead,” the petition says. “Mrs Butler-Turner has demonstrated that she is not prepared to follow, she must lead. She is divisive, is unwilling to abide by and respect our democratic principles. Further, we abhor her public contrived utterances to humiliate and demean our leader. United we stand, divided we fall. United we must be, to defeat the corrupt PLP from what we see and read in the media, she cannot be trusted. “She questioned our leader’s ability to lead, but we in Long Island have tangible evidence of her inability to lead in a constituency, much less a country. One needs only to hear the many stories and complaints from Long Islanders, pertaining to the selection of ‘point persons’ charged with the responsibility of storage and distribution of goods and services to the needy, post-hurricane Joaquin. A responsible and caring leader should recognise that politics has no place in
LORETTA Butler-Turner speaking at the FNM convention. the aftermath of a national and recommendations. One disaster, but unfortunately, would think that a non-resiit cannot be denied that dent member of Parliament Mrs Butler-Turner selected would have community many individuals with ab- meetings, at least quarterly. solutely no management Again, it is alleged that she skills.” visits the ‘chosen few’.” The petition continued: The petition called for “There are many questions representation from a naregarding the selection of tive born Long Islander delegates for the recent who is prepared to fight for convention. Were Long every resource and opporIslanders apprised of the tunity to enhance the demeeting and its purpose? It velopment of young people is apparent that one had to on the island among other be resident in a ‘preferred’ things. settlement according to Mrs “Believe and accept the Butler-Turner to qualify for fact that should our request consideration as a delegate. for a candidate other than Unfortunately, but true, Mrs Butler-Turner be dethat’s our member of Par- nied, we are prepared to liament’s modus operandi nominate and elect a woras one seldom is aware of a thy Independent,” the peticommunity meeting called tion read. by Mrs Butler-Turner to afMrs Butler-Turner did ford Long Islanders the op- not offer comment when portunity to voice concerns contacted yesterday.
PETITION TO OUST BUTLER-TURNER from page one
not support the petition in any way. He said the party did not receive any petition regarding the Long Island candidacy to date. “The petition going around Long Island is not by the FNM, it’s not instructed to be done by the FNM and does not have the support of the FNM,” Mr Collie said when he was contacted. “The first time I heard about it was Monday morning (when) someone called me and told me Tennyson Wells or persons associated with him are circulating a petition. I haven’t seen it and that is the first time I am hearing of it.” But Mr Wells insisted that there was an overwhelming number of people on the island who were not satisfied with the former FNM deputy leader’s representation and predicted that hundreds would support calls for her removal. Asked if the petition originated with him Mr Wells said: “I don’t have any vote down there. I shouldn’t say I didn’t start it (but) they called me and asked me when I was down at the regatta how they should go about getting rid of her. “I told them what they should do is form themselves into a group and petition the party to do it, but it didn’t start with me. “I told them there was
DISGRUNTLED
Nonetheless, there are those on the island who insisted that they could under no circumstances support the incumbent MP. Bernard Adderley is one of those people.
PETITION
The petition did not specifically name its sup-
LIGHTBOURN MAY BE REPLACED from page one
It is said that a wellknown businessman is the top pick for the Montagu candidacy, The Tribune was told. However, party insiders last night insisted that Mr Lightbourn will not go easily and that the party will have to force him out if their plans to oust him are
to materialise. Sources went on to stress that the party is still struggling to gain a financial footing and has set in motion plans to target wealthy Bahamians for various seats to secure campaign funding. Attempts made to reach both Mr Lightbourn and FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis last night were unsuccessful.
Mr Lightbourn was the target of fiery criticism after he offered up contentious comments at the party’s July convention saying it was necessary for The Bahamas to consider adopting the practice of sterilising unwed mothers after the birth of their second child. Mr Lightbourn prefaced the controversial suggestion, on the second night of the FNM convention, with
a generalisation that children born in unstable family situations often grow to participate in criminal activities. While the party distanced itself from the remarks, Members of Parliament, specifically leading Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) women MPs, later called for his resignation over the comments. He later apologised, say-
ing he never intended to offend anyone, but had sought to speak to the need for effective parenting and the support for a strong family structure which will go a long way toward solving many of the country’s social ills. Mr Lightbourn is one of the ‘Gang of Six’ MPs who wrote to the party’s Central Council outlining Dr Minnis’ weaknesses as a leader.
JOHNSON CITES FAMILY AS HE QUITS RACE from page one
Mr Johnson said despite these matters, which required his constant presence and attention, he remained committed to the party and pledged to assist the FNM in any way possible to win the next election. The announcement, through a press statement, came amid speculation from party insiders that he was bowing out of the race after reportedly experiencing financial challenges sparked by an inability to pin down steady employment in the country. It also followed a report in The Nassau Guardian that he planned to soon end his campaign. Asked about speculation about financial challenges, FNM Chairman Sidney Collie denied the claims, adding that the party fully supported Mr Johnson’s decision. “That is not true, it is a personal family matter involving his son and the
United States. It’s a decision that the FNM supports and understands,” Mr Collie said. Mr Johnson’s statement read: “Today, I informed the Leader of the Free National Movement Dr Hubert Minnis of my official withdrawal from candidacy as the standard bearer for the South Beach constituency in the 2017 general election. “This withdrawal from active politics is due to personal and private family matters requiring my constant presence and attention. “Since entering front-line politics in 2012, I’ve had the privilege of meeting and befriending thousands of Bahamians across the archipelago who came to know me and embrace me as ‘Mr Bamboozle’. “I wish to thank each and everyone of you for pouring into my spirit and encouraging and supporting me in my political endeavours. To all of you, black and white, rich and poor, PLP and
FNM, Bahamian and foreigner, I am eternally grateful and appreciate you more than words can ever state. “I also wish to publicly thank FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis and his wife Mrs Patricia Minnis for the kindness and assistance they extended to me and my family during my candidacy. I will be forever grateful. Special thanks are also extended to former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham for recognising my talent and pushing me into the forefront of FNM politics.” Mr Johnson went on to thank the FNM South Beach association executives for the confidence they reposed in him by selecting him as their 2017 candidate. “I must also thank the 2017 FNM South Beach campaign team, South Beach residents who welcomed me into their homes, Central and South Eleuthera executives and association for selecting me in 2012 as their standard bearer, the 2012 FNM Cen-
tral and South Eleuthera campaign team and the 1,326 Central and South Eleuthera voters who supported me in the 2012 general election.” While supporters on Facebook expressed shock at this decision, as Mr Johnson had just two days ago refuted reports that he was leaving the party, FNM insiders insisted that it was long speculated that he was preparing to make this move. Mr Johnson was ratified by the party in May. He ran on the FNM’s ticket in the 2012 general election in the Central and South Eleuthera constituency, losing to the Progressive Liberal Party’s candidate Damian Gomez. Last week, FNM member Leonard Sands announced that he was officially ending his candidacy for the Bain and Grants Town constituency. It came more than a month after he announced that he was suspending his campaign.
Mr Sands posted on his Facebook page: “There are times in life when we have to evaluate what is really most important at that time. “As I arrive at this place in my political life many will have much to say about my decision and many will be disappointed. I must, however, remind those persons that many are the plans of man, but it is the Lord’s will that shall prevail.” “My fellow Bahamians, I have decided to officially end my candidacy for the Bain and Grants Town Constituency effective August 30, 2016. While there are significant personal reasons that have led me to this decision there are other reasons that are not so personal that contribute to this decision as well. “Finally, as I end my leg of the race I am certain that there will be another to take my place in the coming months and to that person I offer my unwavering support and encouragement as the FNM seek to become the next government of the
The Bahamas. If you don’t have a secure means for providing for yourself and family it becomes difficult. This calls for desperate need for campaign finance in this country. No one should be made or barred from participating because of the level of financing request.” Although the FNM’s problems raising money have been well documented in recent months, Mr Turnquest said funding campaigns is not an issue that arises at this time. “That issue doesn’t arise at this stage,” he said. “We are progressing with our election plan and we are confident that the resources will be available when the time comes.”
That group also included St Anne’s MP Hubert Chipman, North Eleuthera MP Theo Neilly, Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner, and Fort Charlotte MP Dr Andre Rollins. Mr Neilly has announced he will not contest the next election while Dr Rollins said he will not be seeking a FNM constituency nomination but would run as an independent.
Commonwealth of The Bahamas,” Mr Sands said. In July, Mr Sands told The Tribune that the continued “infighting” within the FNM as well as “personal considerations” forced him to suspend his campaign. His comments came weeks before the FNM’s contentious convention. At the time, Mr Sands denied rumours that he suspended his campaign because of FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis’ leadership style. That same month, a wellplaced source in the FNM, who did not want to be named, told The Tribune that Mr Sands allegedly had problems financing his campaign, which was part of the reason for his decision. The source claimed Mr Sands had been promised campaign funding from the party. This follows confirmation by North Eleuthera MP Theo Neilly last week that he will not be seeking re-nomination for the 2017 general elections.