The political arena in the Bahamas was hit with unpredictable events that sent the public reeling.
Here are five top political events that were surprising:
1. Social Services Minister Obediah Wilchcombe died
Minister of Social Services, Information and Broadcasting Obediah Wilchcombe died unexpectedly after complications with a heart condition. The MP for West End and Bimini was discovered unresponsive in his home.
His casket, draped in the Bahamian flag was flown from Grand Bahama to New Providence where a state funeral was held before he was flown to Grand Bahama for burial.
Wilchcombe’s death triggered a by-election in West Grand Bahama and Bimini.
Since he was the leader of government business in the House, Wayne Munroe now fills the role.
2. PLP Kingsley Smith won the West Grand Bahama and Bimini seat in a by-election
Kingsley Smith, the Progressive Liberal Party’s candidate for West Grand Bahama and Bimini in the by-election triggered by the death of OB Wilchcombe, won the seat comfortably after a fight with FNM candidate Ricardo Grant.
The win was expected since the constituency has consistently voted for the PLP; the governing party has a pattern of retaining sweats in by-elections; and voter turnouts are usually lower in by-elections than a general election.
The FNM with Grant led a strong campaign backed by former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham, but it was not enough to win the seat.
3. Sylvanus Petty resigned as WSC Executive Chairman
Prime Minister Philip Davis requested that North Eleuthera MP Sylvanus Petty resign from his role as executive chairman of the Water and Sewage Corporation following an admission in court that he gave his daughter a $26,000 contract with the corporation. The conflict of interest was revealed while under cross-examination in an alleged corruption case involving former chairman Adrian Gibson. Petty said he did not frown on nepotism since “everyone in the Bahamas was family.”
4. Kirk Cornish charged with sexual assault
Member of Parliament for North Abaco Kirk Cornish was charged with sexual assault and death threats against a former girlfriend, following months of investigation by authorities. He has denied the claims but prosecution said it found sufficient evidence to charge the 48-year-old politician.
He resigned as Parliamentary Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister.
5. Immigration Minister Keith Bell issued citizenship at a funeral; it was labeled improper
In an “unorthodox” move, Immigration Minister Keith Bell conferred citizenship to a woman and her two children at their relative’s funeral prompting a call for his resignation.
The audio recording went viral as Bell swore in the three people during a funeral at the Metropolitan Church of the Nazarene but Bell defended his actions stating that he was fulfilling the wishes of the deceased man whose wife was also born in Haiti, and whose two children were born in the Bahamas.
As the public cries grew louder, Bell was removed as Minister of Immigration and positioned as Minister of Housing and Urban Renewal.
6. The House of Assembly was suddenly prorogued
The House of Assembly was prorogued unexpectedly on a Saturday, on the advice of Prime Minister Philip Davis, wiping clean the agenda with a new one beginning October 4. Many speculated that the government was attempting to refresh its agenda and shuffle the Cabinet after spurious claims against some of its members. Opposition Leader Michael Pintard believed it was an attempt by the government to evade the “undeniable truth” that it has failed the Bahamian people.
A new session of the House was opened with a newly appointed Governor General Cynthia “Mother” Pratt who read the Speech from the Throne.