Nomination of Free National Movement party officers will take place at 3 p.m. today in the Rainforest Theatre of the Wyndham Cable Beach Resort.
This will be preceded by a prayer breakfast at the organisation’s Mackey Street headquarters which will officially mark the start of the party’s 2003 convention.
Not since the leader-elect contest in November 2000, has the party convened to choose a leader. But today, at the start of the three-day parley, party delegates will once again find themselves in a near-similar situation, nominating persons they believe to be best suited for the party’s leadership.
Montagu Member of Parliament Brent Symonette, who many thought would have emerged from convention as the party’s new leader, has now reportedly thrown his support behind present party leader, Senator Tommy Turnquest.
Announcing his withdrawal from the race, Mr. Symonette said it was in the best interest and unity of the party, and the country.
Mr. Symonette’s decision left COB lecturer Zendal Forbes, whom many describe as a ‘dark horse’ in the race, and Senator Turnquest in the running.
Party sources told the Guardian, “If Symonette had not bowed out, Senator Turnquest would have faced his toughest opponent and could have very well been defeated.”
But despite the speculation, Senator Turnquest has, at least outwardly, remained steadfast and confident that he will emerge from the convention as Party Leader.
Former Senator Sidney Collie has been the only individual to publicly announce his bid for the position of deputy leader.
Former Holy Cross MP Carl Bethel has announced his intention to challenge present party chairman Dwight Sawyer for the post.
Mr. Sawyer said he considers the convention the most critical in the modern history of the FNM, announcing that: “As we begin to chart a brave new course for our party’s return to the Government of The Bahamas, we will go into this convention as an organisation which is stronger, which is ignited, and which is more united than ever; and in that spirit, by the end of the convention, we will have charted a very definitive and winning way forward.
“Since the elections a year ago,” he continued, “our Party has gone through a period of very careful and deliberate evaluation, and our constituency associations, in particular, have done an outstanding job of re-investing our members and supporters with hope and confidence in victory the next time around.”
The convention, being held under the theme, “The Way Forward – United and Ignited,” marks the party’s first since last year’s May 2 general election.
By Keva Lightbourne, The Nassau Guardian
