democraticenationalalliance

Speculation swirled this week over the re-emergence of the Democratic National Alliance (DNA), but three high-profile political figures — Dr. Hubert Minnis, Branville McCartney, and Desmond Bannister — have all denied any involvement.

The trio, once central players in the Free National Movement, were each rumored to be backing the DNA as it prepares a return to politics ahead of the next general election. But in separate statements, all rejected suggestions that they were a part of reforming the party.

McCartney, who founded the DNA in 2011 before stepping down in 2016, said, “I’m out of politics. I’ve been out of politics for some time. I don’t have any type of political ambitions at this stage,” he told the Tribune.

Former Prime Minister Minnis called the rumors shocking, while Bannister, the former Deputy Prime Minister, dismissed them outrightly, “I have not had contact with the DNA and the DNA has not had contact with me…that is not in my plans,” he told Eye Witness News.

The denials come as the DNA seeks to revive itself as an independent third party. The party won no seats in the three elections it contested, garnering fewer votes each time it went to the polls.

Minnis was not given the nomination for Killarney but has expressed interest in running in the constituency despite the FNM nominating Michaela Barnett-Ellis. Bannister served as his deputy in 2017, while McCartney is a close friend of Minnis, having even lobbied for his return as leader of the party in 2024, a position Minnis ultimately lost to Party leader Michael Pintard.

Questions about who is behind the DNA could shape how seriously voters take its comeback.

The bottom line

The DNA insists it’s charting its own path, but its comeback may again show how difficult it is for third parties to break through in Bahamian politics.

The return of the third-party, Democratic National Alliance, has tongues wagging since its demise in 2021.

The surprise announcement on Tuesday has many speculating who will lead the party in its comeback, with some suggesting former Prime Minister Hubert Minnis, whom the Free National Movement did not give a nomination.

“The DNA is back by popular demand.

“Not only are we here for now but we are here for the future and forever,” the party said in a press statement.

The big picture

The DNA was formed by Branville McCartney in 2011 who was a former  State Minister of Immigration in the FNM in Hubert Ingraham’s administration. However, he resigned in 2017, citing poor election results after the party failed to win a seat, having performed poorly each time.

In the 2012 election, the DNA received more than 13,000 votes and in 2017, the party received 7,537 votes.

“At this stage, there has been a rejection of me as leader of the DNA. I have to accept that. I think leading the party, I don’t think would be good at this stage in light of the recent election,” he said in 2017.

Arinthia Komolafe, now an FNM candidate for Carmichael, became the leader of the party after McCartney but resigned in 2021, citing financial strain after operating as the party’s main financier.

The party drifted without a leader ever since.

Why does it matter?

The DNA would be one of two third parties to compete in the upcoming General Election.

Besides the major parties—The Progressive Liberal Party and the Free National Movement, voters will have more choices. Based on the party’s appeal, its return could split the votes, as voters frustrated with the major parties could vote for the DNA.

Its return could also result in tighter margins in swing constituencies like Pinewood Gardens or Nassau Village, where victory margins were under 1,000 votes.

Even if they do not win, they shape the conversation.

But ultimately, the third party can act as a spoiler, splitting the opposition vote and indirectly helping the incumbent.

State of play

The party is said to be reorganizing to offer solutions to the ills facing the Bahamas—high cost of living, corruption, crime and unemployment, and is expected to hold a convention to elect new officers.

The bottom line

It remains to be seen if the DNA still appeals to a fraction of the Bahamian populace, can win a seat in the House of Assembly this time and whether or not familiar controversial faces will arise to front the party.

Featured pictures: The Tribune and Eye Witness News

Hillary Deveaux once dabbled in Bahamian politics and has since announced her new shoe line.

Deveaux was a candidate in the 2021 General Election under the banner of the Democratic National Alliance in the Elizabeth Estates Constituency. Since her unsuccessful attempt for a seat in Parliament, she took a step in another direction—designing footwear for women and men.

In a social media post, a delighted Deveaux said, “So I launched my first shoe line, one shoe of many. Can God do it? Yes, he can.”

The retro line which includes runners, ballerinas, sandals, boots, stilettos and wedges, are handmade by an Italian craftsman and are outfitted with Italian leather.

They are available for purchase and range from $191 to $237. Check out the link for purchase: https://www.beautifulshoes.info/shoes

DNA Leader Arinthia Komolafe announced her resignation from the Democratic National Alliance, after the party’s third unsuccessful attempt at the electoral poll.

Komolafe made an official announcement at the party’s headquarters on Friday, citing various reasons, including a financial strain on her personal resources.

Komolafe acknowledged the difficulty of third parties to secure funding for campaigns, while admitting that she spent nearly six figures to fund the DNA’s recent political campaign.

“Third party politics in the Bahamas is brutal and extremely difficult. It involves taking on established guards of the PLP and the FNM,” she said.

Komolafe lamented the current model of operation within the party stating it is unsustainable since the party depends on volunteers. Komolafe said during her tenure, she served as the financier of operations, writer of press releases and charged the administrative work of the party.

She said the candidates in the recent election personally funded their campaigns.

The big picture

Arinthia Komolafe succeeded the party’s founder Branville McCartney, to become leader of the party in 2017.

In the run up to the election, the party faced internal turmoil and fighting made public.

In the 2021 early election, the party suffered its worst support, garnering only 1,742 votes in 22 seats; in 2017, the DNA received 7,537 votes in its run for 39 constituencies; and in 2012, the DNA got more than 13,000 votes in 13 constituencies.

Why it matters

A third party has never won a general election nor seats in the House of Assembly. Leaders of third parties wound up joining the established parties after being wooed by positions and support.

Komolafe was praised as the first woman leader of a political party. However, she seemed to have never electrified her base.

What’s next?

Komolafe said she will not leave front line politics. But at the moment, she will focus on personal endeavors.

The party’s deputy leader Steven Nesbitt becomes interim leader.

In a crowded race, more than five candidates are vying for the position of Prime Minister. These candidates want to lead the Bahamas in a post-pandemic era. The economy needs a revival and the country’s health system needs restoration, both of which have suffered since the start of the COVID19 pandemic.

Who is the best leader for the job?

Here are the leaders of political parties, vying to win the hearts of Bahamians.

Dr Hubert Minnis

Minnis is the incumbent running for the position of prime minister, a post he has held since 2017. The 67-year-old is the parliamentarian for the Killarney constituency. He was a gynecologist and obstetrician before becoming a politician. In 2007, Minnis was elected to Parliament and served as Minister of Health and eventually became leader of the party where he faced many internal conflicts.

After his victory at the polls, Minnis’ leadership was challenged following the devastations caused by Hurricane Dorian in 2019 that destroyed Abaco and parts of Grand Bahama, two economic hubs of the Bahamas.

His greatest test has been the COVID-19 pandemic that forced lockdowns and curfews, resulting in a depressed economy and lost jobs. While some have criticized the lockdowns and curfews imposed by the Emergency Order, some have praised Minnis’ handling of the pandemic and his rollout of the vaccines.

Philip Davis

Davis is the leader of the official opposition party, the Progressive Liberal Party. The 70-year-old is a lawyer and serves as the Member of Parliament for Cat Island and San Salvador. Many people have criticized the poor conditions of these islands where Davis has served since 2002, due to its lack of infrastructural developments.

Davis served as Deputy Leader of the PLP in 2012 and became leader of the party after his party’s defeat at the polls in 2017.

Davis has been a strong opponent of the Emergency Order and criticized the lockdowns and curfews imposed by the government. He has been described as the “flip-flopper” who changes his views on government policies to suit his talking points.

Arinthia Komolafe

Komolafe is the leader of the Democratic National Alliance, a position she inherited in 2019 after the resignation of its interim party leader. The 41-year-old became the first woman to lead a political party.

She is a banker and lawyer and was a former member of the Progressive Liberal Party. Komolafe has recently faced conflicts within her party that became public in recent months. Some have questioned her ability to lead a country due to her gender and her marriage to a foreigner.

This year, she was detained by police for an illegal protest held in Parliament Square which some have called ‘gender bias.’

She has received praise for her enlightenment and communication skills.

DNA is the third viable option for voters, but the party has lost its spark. It will be the third time the party goes to the polls after the 2012 and 2017 election results.

In 2012, the party received 13,000 votes and received 7,537 votes in 2017.

Lincoln Bain

Bain is a controversial talk show host turned politician. Bain has sought nomination from two political groups, FNM and DNA, but was not successful. He formed the Coalition of Independents in 2021, a party that accrued independent candidates to run in the upcoming General Election.

Bain initially formed an activist group, Bahamian Evolution which lobbied for Bahamians to benefit from the country’s natural resources, but it has since morphed into a political group.

Bain opposes the COVID19 vaccines and led protests to oppose government policies. His campaign has been mainly social media based as he seeks to expose corruption. He has attracted a large social media following.

Bain promises Bahamians that if he is elected, he will ensure each Bahamian receive $100,000.

It remains to be seen if he can turn followers into voters.

Cassius Stuart

Stuart founded the Bahamas Democratic Movement but he later dissolved the party after joining the FNM in 2011.

The businessman has since left the FNM and restarted his party. Stuart seems to have no momentum but says he has a plan to move the country forward.

After the release of DNA Leader Komolafe and other members of her party, since being arrested by police, Commissioner of Police Paul Rolle called a press conference on Monday afternoon, emphasizing that the questioning and arrest was not political.

Why it matters

Members of the party say they believe the arrest of its members, “came from higher up” suggesting that Prime Minister Hubert Minnis and National Security Minister Marvin Dames gave orders for their questioning and detention.

Their arrest caught the attention of FNM Former Deputy Leader Loretta Butler-Turner and PLP MP for Englerston Glenys Hanna-Martin, who assembled with members of the DNA on the outside of the Central Police Station to decry the detention. Both said they believe it was politically motivated.

The big picture

The DNA held a protest on March 3rd in Parliament Square and stood near the entrance of the House of Assembly, while it was in session, calling on Minnis to end the Emergency Order and resign.

However, the protest was deemed ‘unlawful’ since it was held without a permit from the police commissioner.

Why the arrest now?

Rolle said when the protest took place without the proper requirements, he told officers to speak to the group and he will handle the matter later, because he did not want to “create an unnecessary scene” at Parliament.

When asked if the police force is being used as a political tool by the government, Rolle said, “I do not take instructions from politicians. I answer to the constitution of the Bahamas.

“Nine people were interviewed and arrested. Nothing political about it. I don’t see colors, whether it’s red, yellow, or green. Everyone is treated the same. I believe my record on that is straightforward.”

DNA Leader Arinthia Komolafe was flanked by supporters as she exited the Central Police Station on Monday afternoon. Komolafe said despite the arrest, her “spirit is not broken.”

Why it matters

Komolafe and other members of the DNA were questioned by police for a protest the group held about 3 weeks ago in front of the House of Assembly. The assembly was labeled ‘unlawful.’

The group was contacted on Thursday and Friday and asked to report to the station for questioning in regard to the matter.

What Komolafe said

Komolafe said she remains “very resolute” and will continue to push a message of change.”

While in police custody, Komolafe said she and her team answered a series of questions.

The matter is still pending and will go to the Police Head Quarters where Commissioner of Police Paul Rolle will make a final decision on the matter.

Komolafe said when the matter is finalized by Rolle, her legal team which includes Khalil Parker and Owen Wells, will make a decision on whether or not the party will file a civil suit against the government.

“The police were very professional today. We understand they were just carrying out their job and following the process. But we believe that it came from somewhere higher.

“…I left my children at home. They were very upset. My daughter asked yesterday, ‘what was the purpose of this process today?’ She was very concerned that I would be arrested. They don’t understand the process.”

“What you have seen here is a challenge to democracy and the right to be able to express ourselves and the right to be Bahamians in our society,” she said.

As parliamentarians debated the midterm Budget Debate in the House of Assembly today, scores of supporters of the Democratic National Alliance gathered near the front of the House demanding that Prime Minister Hubert Minnis “ring the bell.”

Party leader Arinthia Komolafe and Deputy Leader Omar Smith, dressed in party colors led the march Down Town to Parliament Square, shouting, “Minnis gat to go, Minnis ga to go,” and “PM ring the bell, PM ring the bell.”

The party likened Prime Minister Hubert Minnis to the biblical ruler Pharaoh, often shouting as they marched, “Let my people go.”

Why it matters

The DNA is seen as the alternative to the major political parties.

Although the major political parties have ratified candidates, many are awaiting the DNA’s ratification and the official presentation of candidates to their perspective constituencies.

The big picture

Speculations have arisen whether or not Minnis will call an early election. Both major political parties, including independent candidates, are often seen campaigning on weekends.

However, Minnis indicated last week in the House that an early election depends on the decision by his team.

What Komolafe says

After being ushered behind barricades, Komolafe said her party was representing the frustrations of the Bahamian people.

“We’re here asking the Honorable Dr Hubert Alexander Minnis to ring the bell. For almost 365 days, we have been under Emergency Orders. It has cost jobs, it has caused lives. It has caused livelihoods. We are calling on the Prime Minister to free the Bahamian people from hell and to ring the bell.”

Komolafe said she is confident her party will win the next election. “If we were not confident, we would not have been here…The people are tired. The people are frustrated. They do not want the FNM. They do not want the PLP. They are calling for an alternative. The DNA is the alternative,” she shouted.