EDITOR, The Tribune.

Grateful if you would print a letter in your editorial that I sent to former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham on June 25, 2012.

The Rt Hon Hubert A Ingraham,

Member of Parliament.

Dear Mr Ingraham,

I write these words with a heavy heart but I feel I must say them. You are wrong for quitting on the people of North Abaco after they showed great faith and elected you to represent them for what you coined as your last and final term.

I don't care how you look at it, you are wrong and I urge you to reconsider. You have a right to change your mind about quitting just like those who are now in charge have been changing their minds about promises they made since they came to office. You did a stellar job, gave exemplary stewardship and governed with integrity but your time of being Prime Minister and leader of the Free National Movement (FNM) is finished. There is no more coming back to that. However, you owe the people of North Abaco the full five years in office as they held confidence in you and, in spite of the money, fanfare and distractions of the other side, they elected you to represent them in the House of Assembly from 2012 to 2017 and not from May 7th to July 19th, 2012, as you and some others now have it. 

I take you back to 1997 and the by-election in South Andros. I was 19 years old, a young voter that you had convinced to support you when Sir Lynden had resigned. My parents threatened to throw me out and I, along with another friend of mine, literally almost got assassinated in Mangrove Cay because we decided to support the FNM.

I'll never forget that at the last rally held you had the deejay play a song by Kenny Rogers – You Picked a Fine Time to Leave Me, Lucile – a fitting symbolism of the message that Sir Lynden had abandoned South Andros at a time when we (supposedly) needed him most. It grieves my heart that, 15 years later, I am watching you do the same thing to the people of North Abaco at a time when there is no doubt in anyone's mind that they need you to hold on, be there for them and represent them. What happened to the man who charted his own course regardless of consequences? The man who took responsibility for his actions and held to his beliefs and decisions in spite of grave opposition? What happened to the man who didn't allow history to dictate his actions but rather he wrote new and different chapters in history? What happened to the man who challenged one of the most difficult leaders in this country within that leader's own party and then defeated him in a political duel? What happened to the most fearless Bahamian politician that the world has ever known? What happened to the man who made me believe that there is still integrity in Bahamian politics? What happened to the man who convinced me that a barefoot boy from the island with a speech impediment could be Prime Minister? Where is the real Hubert Alexander Ingraham? While I am sure you would have preferred not to lose the election, the reality of the matter is that you are human, subject to faults and failures like anyone else. Some days you will win and some days you will lose. I know that you are not concerned about what those on the other side have to say to you. You had your time to criticize and throw jeers and now it is their time to do the same. Let them get it off their chest as you bellow that infectious laughter like you always do because you know their days of getting off on you will be short-lived.

Everyone in this country knows them and their track record and, like real leopards, they cannot change their spots. However, everyone in this country also knows you, especially the people of North Abaco, and for you to give up on them and leave them to wolves is shameful and disgraceful.

 Let me have you early told – if there is a by-election in North Abaco, because of your resignation, the other side will win. Our party does not need any additional losses right now because we cannot afford it. We are in debt and from the looks of things, while we have new and promising leadership, things will not get better anytime soon. Our representatives in Parliament are few (we have seen worse) but there is strength in numbers and you would provide excellent support should you remain. Demonstrate your humility, put away your personal differences and desires, get over yourself and do what is right by the people that you offered to serve. Your representing North Abaco is not as demanding as being Prime Minister or being in charge of our party.

You are only required to be in Parliament once every 90 days although I expect you to show up much more regularly. You promised the people of The Bahamas that if you were returned as Prime Minister, you would serve your entire term in office. You promised the citizens of North Abaco full representation if they re-elected you. While the masses failed you in this regard, the voters of North Abaco kept up their end of the bargain. What happened to the Hubert Alexander Ingraham who made his commitments and kept them?

 Sir, I mean you no disrespect but if you continue with your resolve to resign you will disappoint many who looked up to you and respected you as a virtuous, honourable character. All that you would have done in the past would not matter if you are seen as a quitter and sore loser in the end. Do not walk in the footsteps of Sir Lynden. Surprise me and the rest of The Bahamas. There are many who would prefer that you complete your term and, yet, everyone is expecting you to go away; let those who feel they’ve conquered you continue to be hyped up on that idea that you are gone and then snatch that joy away from them and do right by the people who you claim you are forever indebted to.

 I look forward to your favourable decision in this regard.

  MARVIN R Z GIBSON

 Nassau,

July 17, 2012.