By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

FORMER Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham, yesterday predicted that the Christie administration could call the forthcoming North Abaco by-election as early as September 2.

If Mr Ingraham’s guess proves correct, the announcement would come just two days after his resignation takes effect on August 31.

With just one week until the North Abaco seat becomes officially vacant, Mr Ingraham also set the record straight, insisting that he will resign as planned, despite widespread reports that he planned to backtrack on that decision.

“It’s a done deal, it’s finished, the battle is over and Jesus is Lord,” Mr Ingraham said. “I am going to be in Abaco on the second of September, the day that I expect they will call the by-election.”

He added that while he was grateful for the opportunity to have served as the country’s leader and a Member of Parliament for years, he was relieved.

“I am thankful and relieved of that burden. I thank the Bahamian people very much,” Mr Ingraham said.

Mr Ingraham conceded defeat and resigned as leader of the FNM just hours after the PLP was voted in as the new government of the Bahamas on May 7. He did, however, win his constituency’s seat, one that he held for his entire political career.

He announced almost two weeks later that his resignation would take effect on July 19. The decision to resign on that date, which was also the anniversary of his first election to Parliament, was delayed in a bid to gain time for a potential by-election candidate and more informed public opinion on the proposed gambling referendum, Mr Ingraham said.

On July 19, Mr Ingraham tendered his resignation letter to House Speaker Kendal Major, shortly after 9.30am although deceased party Chairman Charles Maynard confirmed that the former nation’s chief would not receive a special sitting of the House to announce his resignation. Parliamentarians were not slated to meet until July 25. It was later announced that he would be allowed a farewell speech on that day.

However, when the House did reconvene on July 25, Mr Ingraham was not allowed to make his farewell address at the beginning of the agenda. He was instead informed that he would have to wait until the end of the day to address his fellow MPs. On hearing the decision, Mr Ingraham quietly gathered his papers, bowed to the Speaker, and, for the final time left the floor of the House.

Opposition Leader Dr Hubert Minnis defended Mr Ingraham’s decision claiming an agreement to allow him to speak at the start of the session was broken.