hubertminnis

Former Prime Minister Hubert Minnis has found a second life on TikTok and it could be changing how some Bahamians view him as the country heads to a general election.

Minnis was known as a stiff public political figure with a leadership style many described as stubborn or distant. Minnis is now on social media showing himself differently. On TikTok, he is joking, participating in trends, and directly replying to people who once criticized him.

His tone is lighter and some people may be buying into it. “I think I changed my mind about Minnis,” one user wrote. Another said, “If I knew you were this down to earth, I wouldn’t have been mad at you.”

Watch here one of Minnis’ reels

Minnis’ time as prime minister from 2017 to 2021 was defined almost entirely by Hurricane Dorian and the COVID-19 pandemic which his shaped public life and policies. His leadership style during those times left many voters frustrated.

The early election he called in 2021, resulted in low voter turnout and a loss. His leadership of the Free National Movement was heavily criticized, and many called for his resignation.

After losing the FNM leadership race to current leader Michael Pintard and not receiving a nomination to run under the party’s banner, Minnis decided to run as an independent candidate.

Without the party banner, TikTok and Facebook, have become his main pathway to voters.

He presents him as approachable, humorous, and relatable, sharp contrasts to the politician many remember from the House of Assembly.

As Minnis enters this election season outside party lines, his campaign is about whether voters are willing to accept this new version of him.

The early signs around the 2026 General Election suggest this is shaping up to be a crowded, competitive race, with growing demands for accountability from voters.

New seats, new political battles

One of the biggest changes ahead of 2026 is the addition of two new constituencies St James and Bimini and the Berry Islands following recommendations by the Constituencies Commission.

And already, these new seats are drawing attention.

Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Senator Randy Rolle and Carlton Bowleg, who was ratified by the Free National Movement (FNM) last year for what was then the North Andros and Berry Islands seat, are both reportedly eyeing the new Bimini and Berry Islands constituency.

Parties are moving quickly to secure support, and position candidates in areas expected to be closely fought.

This election is shaping up to be decided seat by seat.

Defiance inside the party

Another early signal is the growing number of candidates willing to challenge their own parties’ decisions.

In Bamboo Town, former MP Renward Wells has confirmed he will run as an independent after being denied an FNM nomination. His decision defies party leadership and adds another layer of uncertainty to Bamboo Town.

In Killarney, Senator Michela Barnett-Ellis, the FNM’s ratified candidate, is preparing to face the party’s former leader and former prime minister, Dr Hubert Minnis. Dr Minnis, who was also denied an FNM nomination, has said he will run anyway.

Barnett-Ellis has said she hopes to convince voters to “look to the future,” signaling that the race is about leadership direction and renewal.

PLP tensions in the open

The governing PLP is also facing signs of internal strain.

In Southern Shore, party members have been divided over who should be nominated, Clint Watson or Obie Roberts with reports of heated confrontations and growing dissatisfaction among supporters.

Internal party disagreements are not new in Bahamian politics. However, those tensions are visible, signaling a more volatile campaign where candidates are fighting not just their opponents, but also internally.

Accountability is resurfacing

Beyond party politics, accountability issues are returning to the national conversation.

Concerns over road conditions and hospital care are placing renewed pressure on the government to explain what has changed and what has not.

These issues are likely to feature prominently in 2026, especially as voters connect everyday hardships with leadership decisions.

Media narratives spotlighted by Pintard

Even the role of the media has entered the political debate.

Opposition Leader Michael Pintard has publicly questioned whether internal conflicts within the FNM are consistently framed as “chaos” and “infighting,” while similar disputes inside the PLP are often treated as normal political disagreement.

Whether one agrees or not, the critique reflects a broader concern about how narratives shape public perception and who is portrayed as divided or ready to govern.

Why it matters

Elections are shaped months in advance by candidate decisions, party unity, public trust, and the issues that refuse to go away.

The early signals of 2026 suggest the race could be unpredictable, highly contested, and deeply personal.

The ballots may still be months away, but the battle lines are being drawn.

Former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis has suggested the Free National Movement (FNM) should never have contested the Golden Isles by-election, sparking debate over the party’s resources, confidence, and strategy heading toward the next general election.

“I stayed quiet throughout the whole process, but I agreed with Ingraham,” Minnis told The Nassau Guardian, referencing former party leader Hubert Ingraham’s earlier claim that he advised against Brian Brown running in the contest.

“One seat would not have made a difference…I did not feel that they could win,” Minnis added.

On the surface, the statement sounds like political hindsight.

He said he is not optimistic about the FNM’s chances going into the general election.

“Now, you are going into the real battle where the government has all its ammunition stockpiled and ready for you, and you are coming in limping,” he said.

“I don’t need to say what the result will be.”

The big picture

In The Bahamas, by-elections — like many around the world — tend to favour the governing party.

Government machinery often tilts the odds in its direction.

Still, opposition parties traditionally contest these races for one reason: perception.

By-elections are not simply about filling vacant seats. They are seen as political temperature checks — moments that reflect public mood, momentum, and party strength.

Golden Isles became a measuring stick for all parties.

Had the FNM followed Minnis’ recommendation to stay out, it may have signalled something far more damaging than a loss–a lack of confidence. Voters and observers could have interpreted such a move as surrender, division, or fear of rejection.

A closer look at the numbers

Despite losing the seat, the FNM captured 9 of the 17 polling divisions — more than half of the ballots cast across the constituency.

Brian Brown lost by just over 200 votes, turning what some may label a defeat into a razor-thin, highly competitive race in a swing constituency.

That is not a political wipeout. That is a warning and an opportunity.

The results suggest, the FNM still holds a strong base in Golden Isles. Low voter turnout likely hurt more than helped and a general election could easily tilt it in the Opposition’s favor.

Minnis’ comments may rest in emotions more than sound political strategy.

What’s at stake

If opposition parties shy away from electoral contests, FNM voters may feel abandoned or disconnected. Independent or fringe candidates could gain a greater footing, and voter apathy may worsen.

Political analysts warn that a democracy without competition is a fragile one, and a democracy where opposition retreats is an endangered one.

Former Prime Minister Hubert Minnis was seen dancing awkwardly after suffering a humiliating defeat in his party’s leadership race which saw the return of Michael Pintard as leader of the Free National Movement.

Minnis attended the West End Fish Fry at Montague with former Minister of Health Renward Wells and former Bahamas Information Services Director Kevin Harris, who supported his run to regain leadership of the FNM.

With a cup of drink in hand, Minnis dances back and forth as a band plays onstage, hopping on one leg at a time and running back and forth in an open space in front of the podium. And in another instance, he grabs the waist of a woman and enthusiastically gyrates.

“There’s nothing quite like the energy and joy shared with fellow Bahamians. Celebrating unity and connection through every step,” he said in a social media post.

Pintard dealt a heavy blow to Minnis on Saturday at the party’s one-day convention, which was foreseen—456-163. Heavy hitters in the party like Former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham, former Minister of Immigration Brent Symonette and the majority of Minnis’ former cabinet supported Pintard. In contrast, Wells, former Deputy leader Desmond Bannister and just a few others publicly threw their support behind Minnis.

Approximately 700 delegates voted.

Minnis and his supporters like Bannister caused ramblings in the party, calling for a party convention to replace Pintard, as Minnis underhandedly campaigned at association meetings. He then publicly announced his bid for leadership in May.

After claiming “unfair practices” and “skulduggery” at the convention earlier in the day, he voted but did not attend the convention’s closing ceremony later that evening. He pledged his commitment to the party and congratulated Pintard in a statement posted to social media.

Pintard, in his victory speech, acknowledged Minnis: “Let me say tonight to Dr. Hubert Minnis that this organization has benefited from your leadership when you sat in the Cabinet of Hubert Alexander Ingraham and you distinguished yourself by bringing technology to local constituency canvassing,” Pintard said.

“You played a pivotal role in introducing catastrophic health insurance. In opposition, and God knows that opposition hard, you weathered the storm and together … with no-name face-recognized FNMs we stood in solidarity and brought the system back on board, brought the establishment back on board to support Dr. Minnis.

“You made your contribution in opposition that propelled you to become prime minister of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. For the fourth time, the Free National Movement led this country.

“It’s clear to us that there were any number of accomplishments that you’ve achieved that are noteworthy. With your permission, in the fullness of time, this organization wishes to pay tribute to you for your contribution. Thank you, Dr. Minnis.”

Former Parliamentarian Donald Saunders was shot and killed on Wednesday night in what appears to be a botched robbery in Gambier.

What happened?

Commissioner of Police Clayton Fernander said Saunders, Deputy Chairman of the Free National Movement was one of six patrons sitting outside of a community bar after 9 pm, when two gunmen demanded cash.

The patrons fled and the gunmen fired their weapons.

The other five patrons soon realized Saunders was not with them. They then returned to the scene and found him lying face down outside of the establishment, with a gunshot wound to the back. When police officers arrived on the scene, he had already succumbed.

The big picture

The year began with worrying crime trends, spilling over from 2023, spurring loud calls from the Opposition and citizens alike for the government to amend laws in hopes of curtailing the surging homicide rate and implementing stringent measures against criminals.

The RBPF has maintained that most murders in the country are gang retaliation and some people’s unwillingness to resolve conflicts. But Saunder’s murder, the 35^th for the year, is a rare occurrence since politicians in the Bahamas are not often victims of homicides.

His killing rocked the country as the government and the RBPF continue to grapple with this crime wave and ways to prevent further mayhem by gun violence.

Thirty-five murders from January to March is a startling figure since it is only the first quarter of the year and could spell a troubling pattern for the remainder of 2024.

Though homicides are mostly concentrated in New Providence, Gambier lies farther west of the capital, is a rather quiet community, and is sparsely populated.

Saunders, a lawyer,  won the Tall Pines seat in the 2017 general election, becoming a Member of Parliament until 2021 in the Hubert Minnis administration. He then served as the deputy speaker of the House of Assembly during his party’s period in office.

He was also a counsel in the ongoing Adrian Gibson fraud and bribery trial.

What FNM Party Leader Michael Pintard is saying

Free National Movement Leader Michael Pintard with other party members arrived on the scene in shock, looking on as Saunders’ body was placed in the hearse. He said, “We are trusting that the system is going to work and appealing to Bahamians, everyone who can contribute to bringing justice for him and literally the hundreds of Bahamians who have lost their lives, whose matters have not yet been resolved.”

Following former Deputy Prime Minister Leader Desmond Bannister’s push for a convention after a purported attack on Free National Movement’s deputy chair Richard Johnson, an anonymous member of the FNM in a leaked response, hit back at him calling his assertions “sick and sad” and an attempt to “harm the reputation of your former colleagues.”

Bannister who serves as Johnson’s legal advisor, wrote a letter to Party Leader Michael Pintard, which was leaked to the press earlier in the week, urging a convention “at the earliest possible date.” Bannister highlighted the alleged attack, which occurred last week while the party met for a council meeting, as one of the reasons for the party to go to a convention to challenge Pintard’s post.

Concerned with Bannister’s position, an anonymous FNM member addressed Bannister, raising the possibility that the attack claimed by Johnson was “staged”.

The member asked Bannister to consider other possibilities and motives alluding to his client’s checkered history.

Although Johnson’s purported attacker has not been found out nor has motives been determined by the police, Bannister insists that one reason for a convention is the “blatant and violent attack on one our members” which “threatens to undo decades of progress.”

“Our party has always condemned political violence,” Bannister continued in the letter. “In our beloved Bahamaland, no person, least of all, an executive of the party should be subjected to politically inspired attacks on their person.”

Bannister served in Minnis’ cabinet as Minister of Works and Utilities from 2017 to 2021 and eventually became deputy prime minister in December 2020. Minnis once promised to “split” leadership with him if his administration was elected for a second term.

Bannister has appeared distant from the party since the loss in 2021 and has only appeared on the political scene with a call for a convention, one week after Johnson alleged the incident took place with no witnesses.

Bannister did not make it known that he is Johnson’s lawyer.

It is believed that Minnis, who once boasted that Bannister was his “good counsel”, would use the convention as an attempt to topple Pintard.

Since Pintard was elected leader of the party more than two years ago, some of Minnis’ supporters like Johnson have become vocal and expressed to the media that they are fighting for his return as leader of the party while calling for a party convention.

Minnis has never attempted to quiet Johnson and other operatives and has never denied a comeback even amidst the public speculation of his plans.

“Could the attacker be associated with the dozens of Bahamians Johnson’s have maligned and vilified for years… or someone “he begged for funds or owed money to for loan or services received?” the anonymous FNM member continued to question Bannister.

“As a senior member of the bar, you know better than to draw conclusions without the facts. Your naked political objective to harm the reputation of your former colleagues could be the only reason you assume that such an attack if not staged, was politically motivated.

“To even think that someone would resort to clumsy violence to silence a paid Minnis operative who has limited impact, is sad and sick.

“FNM’s do not value [Johnson] the way you (Bannister), Minnis, Renward, Carl and the PLP do.

“Your FNM leaders would not have been stupid enough to send a grown man to the FNM location where your team had ZNS stationed to slap your spokesperson (who squealed for Omar).”

Omar Archer is another Minnis operative, known as a mischief maker, and often accompanies Johnson on his rants to the media.

The anonymous member indicated that Johnson is purchasable and has been used by some in office to carry out their agenda.

“The FNM could have easily paid Richard a little bit more than Minnis pays, then he would have turned on Minnis the way he did when he supported Loretta (Loretta Butler once challenged Minnis for leadership in a bitter fight; and became leader of the FNM from December 2016 to May 2017).

“Or the FNM could have given him a contract the way McKell (Bonaby McKell–Chairman of Public Beaches and Park and Member of Parliament for Mt Moriah) did at Beaches and Parks and he would have dropped Minnis like how he dropped the [Beaches and Parks] vendors he claimed to represent.

“Or the FNM could have secured an apartment for the near homeless [Johnson] who is being drip-fed by Minnis who is still flush with 2021 election funds.

“Or they could have silenced him by keeping him supplied with his favourite happy meals.”

By now it is apparent, former Prime Minister Hubert Minnis is not going away gracefully.

He is not a former prime minister and former party leader who would say, “I lost fair and square. I wish the new leader of the Free National Movement, all the best,” and then mean it.

Instead, he is steadfast in battling with his party’s leader, Michael Pintard, acting as the main speaker at the Garden Hills Constituency Association meeting, while Pintard was engaged as speaker in another constituency association meeting in Centerville, both going live on Facebook, simultaneously.

“Mr Pintard is the leader and I respect leadership,” he told reporters on the sidelines, an attempt to downplay his actions.

Well, he should prove it. Everything he has done is in direct contrast to that statement and it has long been speculated that he is attempting a comeback. He appears to be undermining Pintard, which is causing division and tension in the party, he once led.

Minnis lost the early election that he called in 2021. Perhaps, he wants to right his wrongs since major failings were at his feet while he governed, which shows a degree of not listening to his advisors when he was in office. He should be commended though, because he governed at a time when the Bahamas suffered two major crises, of which he had no control–Hurricane Dorian and the COVID-19 Pandemic. And, he made doing business in the Bahamas, easier.

Former prime ministers fade into statesman-like figures–they are gracious and indicative of the title they held. But Minnis’ style is different. He is rouge and deceptive, and the role of a statesman, he will never adopt.

He will never come to a realization that his tenure as leader is over. He is likely to continue to campaign within constituencies in preparation to run in the next general election. Or, he is satisfied in basking in the allegiance of his supporters.

“I didn’t expect to see so many people here tonight,” he said in the introduction at the Garden Hills event.

Who believes that?

He and his supporters called the meeting. He is in campaign mode. He rallied his supporters behind closed doors. His intent is to show the allegiance of his followers. He wants to continue dividing the party to show the current party leader as weak.

His supporter told the Tribune, “It will be war” if Minnis is not permitted to speak at meetings in what they believe is an attempt to silence him.

Another told the Nassau Guardian, “They (FNM leadership) hate to respect Dr Minnis and all of his accomplishments under the previous administrations.”

If Minnis wishes to align with party goals, he would correct ill behavior or speech, and call for unity from his followers.

Yes, he is a parliamentarian and he has a right to speak to the concerns of his constituents, and his position as former PM gave him insight on national issues. But when his actions are counteractive to the party or may not be in the best interest of the party, or it gives an appearance of conflict, then he should stand down. Demonstrate unity. Use wisdom.

The FNM leadership must now be prepared to manage him and figure out how to counter his strategies.

Photo credit: Nassau Guardian

Marco City MP Michael Pintard won the leadership position of the Free National Movement following its one-day convention that saw three candidates go head-to-head to vie for the post.

In an exuberant gathering at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church on Saturday, hundreds of delegates convened to cast their vote.

At the end, Pintard was declared the winner. In his victory speech, he expressed gratitude to former prime ministers and his supporters.

“…By the will of God, we will be back on 2026.”

To former parliamentarians, he encouraged, “It’s about the journey, make connections and change the course of people’s lives.”

Pintard promised that as leader of the Opposition, he will be careful in his deliberation. “We will speak in a measured way to get the result we need.”

Pintard, the favourite to win the post, competed with Central Grand Bahama MP Iram Lewis and East Grand Bahama MP Kwasi Thompson.

Pintard won with 297 of the votes. Thompson received 103 votes and Lewis got 44 votes.

The three Grand Bahama parliamentarians made up the seven parliamentarians who retained their seats in the early election in September.

Pintard garnered support from former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham and former St Anne’s MP Brent Symonette, and some of his former parliamentarians and Cabinet members in the Hubert Minnis led administration.

Minnis did not reveal who he voted for but said he will support the winner, in hopes that the party regain its footing to win the next general election.