By EARYEL BOWLEG

Tribune Staff Reporter

ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

FORMER Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis defended his decision to seek re-election yesterday after receiving criticism from a former Cabinet colleague, stressing that the interests of the country and its people should come before political parties.

His response came after former Tourism Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar told Eyewitness News that it was time for Dr Minnis to move on.

Mr D’Aguilar, who served in the Minnis-led Cabinet, said the former prime minister’s political ambition was not worth the damage it is causing to the Free National Movement.

“I thoroughly enjoyed working under him,” he said. “He was a great boss to me. I cannot fault him for that. But you know, sometimes the party wants to move in a different direction.”

The former minister suggested Dr Minnis should serve the party in a different capacity— a view echoed by the FNM’s leadership team.

However, Dr Minnis disagreed with his position yesterday, saying his decisions are guided by God.

“One must always look to God for solutions,” he said, “Before I make any decisions, I’ve always looked to God and asked for God’s guidance and I continue to do that but I think country and people should always be before political parties.”

Though he has repeatedly declined to say whether he would run as an independent, party leader Michael Pintard confirmed in April that Dr Minnis would not be renominated.

Mr Pintard said the party offered Dr Minnis a senior statesman role and the opportunity to contribute to policy development.

Yesterday, Dr Minnis remained mum on his election plans, but insisted that he will run and win.

“I don’t think you need anything other than that at this particular point in time, but I am running, and I have no doubt, I have faith and confidence that the people of Killarney will return me as the Member of Parliament for Killarney who will continue to fight for them and this country in the halls of Parliament.”

The Killarney constituency, long considered an FNM stronghold, is now positioned to be one of the most hotly contested battlegrounds in the country.

Dr Minnis remains a popular figure in the area, and his candidacy, outside the party’s endorsement, has sparked speculation about whether he could fracture the FNM’s base and split the vote.

Interest in the seat also comes as the Constituencies Commission prepares to recommend adjustments to electoral boundaries ahead of the next general election.

Dr Minnis said he expects changes to Killarney, noting that the constituency has a large number of registered voters.

Mr Pintard also acknowledged the possibility of boundary changes, saying: “We’re hearing lots of things,” including talk of a potential split between Killarney and Delaporte.

Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper said the commission plans to submit its report to the prime minister by August.