Following the yellow tsunami that swept over 30 Free National Movement candidates out to political pasture, factions of the FNM are already calling for Dr. Hubert Minnis to step down as party leader.
Minnis is now a one-time prime minister and was forced to hand over the reins of the country to Prime Minister-elect Philip Brave Davis who celebrated the Progressive Liberal Party’s landslide victory in his constituency of Cat Island.
In a stunning defeat, the FNM held onto fewer than 10 seats with most ministers in the Minnis Cabinet being voted out.
Minnis, St. Anne’s candidate Adrian White and corrupt former Water and Sewerage Corporation Executive Chairman Adrian Gibson were among the few to emerge victorious while some races remain too close to call.
Minnis, who is the shortest serving Bahamian prime minister - only making it to four years - couldn’t show his face after his party’s loss but released a statement and called the incoming PM to concede defeat.
FNM insiders believe Minnis’ arrogance and blatant disrespect for influential party members including former prime minister Hubert Ingraham sealed his embarrassing fate.
Party members are applying the pressure for Minnis to move aside and allow a more competent leader to help rebuild the opposition party.
Ingraham has made it clear he believes former Minister of Health Dr. Duane Sands would make a good PM but Sands’ defeat to the PLP’s JoBeth Coleby-Davis at the polls on Thursday night will make him a hard sell to party members.
The Gallery congratulates the PLP on its hard-fought victory and wishes the new government well.