By KHRISNA RUSSELL

Tribune Chief Reporter

krussell@tribunemedia.net

DR HUBERT Minnis says newly elected Free National Movement leader Michael Pintard will get his full support as the FNM focuses on repairing itself following a devastating general election defeat in September.

The party held a one-day leadership convention Saturday and elected the Marco City MP as leader of the party.

Mr Pintard received 297 votes, which was 67 percent of the votes cast. His rivals, East Grand Bahama MP Kwasi Thompson and Central Grand Bahama MP Iram Lewis, got 120 and 44 votes respectively.

The former prime minister said despite him leading the party to a loss in the September 16 general election, the FNM is still the best choice for The Bahamas.

“I am a party man,” Dr Minnis said yesterday in an interview with The Tribune. “I am an FNM and I will remain an FNM. My job, like all FNMs, is to work together to ensure that we remove the PLP.

“All of the programmes that we instituted are working. The economy is coming back, but now we are facing a new variant — the Omicron variant — and that will present great headwinds for us moving forward.

“The programmes we had instituted in terms of dealing with COVID they were working and those programmes have to be continued, but my job is to ensure that the FNM returns because the FNM has a plan for this country the FNM has a plan for the people and a plan for the young people.

“It has a plan to try and decrease poverty within the country and increase the middle class so as to expand the middle class. We must continue on that road and I will do all I can to ensure the success of this Bahamas and our party.

“Pintard and the entire party will have my full support. I am an FNM.

“I want the PLP removed. I want the FNM back in power because we have direction and a plan. So, Pintard has my full support,” Dr Minnis said.

The Killarney MP also responded to criticism that his absence on stage where Mr Pintard gave his first remarks as party leader signaled that he would not support the Marco City MP.

Both former leaders Hubert Ingraham and Tommy Turnquest stood on either side of Mr Pintard as he spoke.

“No, me not being there does not show that I don’t support Pintard,” Dr Minnis said. “That is a bad interpretation. That is an incorrect and wrong interpretation.

“Pintard was chosen by the people and Pintard will have my full support.”

Similarly, Mr Thompson said he would be supportive of the new leader and accept the outcome of the convention.

“The people of our party have spoken and I congratulate our new leader Michael Pintard,” Mr Thompson said in remarks to The Tribune.

“The new leader has my full support. I wish to thank the many supporters and voting delegates for their support and encouragement. We have our new leader Michael Pintard and we must all join together to support him in leading our party.

“It is time for us to unite and reignite our Free National Movement in the best interest of all Bahamians.

“Yesterday’s result has only motivated me to work even harder for my constituency, our Party and our Country. It is not about a position, but making a difference. I give God thanks for his favour, grace, purpose and the opportunity.”

Mr Lewis did not respond to The Tribune’s inquiries yesterday.