picewellforbes

Free National Movement candidate for Mangrove Cay, Central and South Andros withdrew his candidacy for the next General election citing health concerns.

Kenneth Smith was ratified by the FNM to run in the upcoming election, but the young businessman’s name will no longer appear on the ballot.

The FNM said it has “regrettably accepted his resignation” and “wishes him a speedy return to good health.”

The party said it will seek another qualified candidate to replace Smith.

“The party assures the people of Mangrove Cay, Central and South Andros that during the rigorous vetting process, many outstanding candidates put themselves forward. The residents of Mangrove Cay, Central and South Andros may rest assured they will have an FNM candidate who shares their love of country and community.”

Many speculate that the party may seek out former PLP MP for the area, Picewell Forbes who announced that he would not run in the next election due to a lack of support for his candidacy from the PLP Leader Philip Davis.

The big picture

A snap election was called on Thursday by Prime Minister Hubert Minnis and will be held on September 16.

State of play

Leon Lundy is the PLP’s contender for the area.

Yamacraw MP and Minister of Financial Services, Trade and Industry and Immigration Elsworth Johnson defended Progressive Liberal Party MP for Mangrove Cay, South and Central Andros Picewell Forbes who announced on Monday that he would not offer himself in the next General Election on the PLP ticket.

Johnson called on PLP Party leader Philip Davis, who was not in the House during the first session today, to apologize for the treatment of Forbes.

Johnson said, “…South Andros deserves better,” as Forbes looked on.

The big picture

Forbes said he will not offer himself as a candidate in the 2022 General Election due to a lack of confidence reposed in him from Party Leader Davis. Forbes said it remained uncertain if the party would renominate him for the next general election, as constituents too, pondered his ratification since prospective candidates were seen canvassing his constituency.

“After all the questions in Mangrove Cay last week, when you were giving it your best from meager resources, and all these questions are still abound after all these years, after some discussion and prayers with my family, I said farewell.”

Forbes said he wished that Davis would “simply go on the ground in the community and [say] you support me.”

What Johnson said today

“To martyr an innocent man like this when all you had to do was stand up and say, ‘This my man. This my man.’

“He (Forbes) shouldn’t be going from house to house and finding out that different people calling him. It ain’t right to him and it ain’t right to other people. And South Andros deserves an apology. And I pray that he finds it in his heart to forgive him (Davis).

“All leaders have to be like that. If you don’t want people. And you know you don’t want them, let them know.”

What Davis has said since

Davis told the Nassau Guardian that Forbes’ “nomination was never in doubt,” adding that all incumbents in his party would be renominated if they desired.

“So he is now deciding not to continue of his own,” Davis said.

Davis said  Forbes had his support which should have “convert[ed] to the ground, but then he assessed the ground and that was his finding.”

South and Central Andros MP Picewell Forbes said PLP leader Philip Davis, has not reposed confidence in him, therefore he will not offer himself in the 2022 General Election.

Forbes said he needed to see confidence from the leadership. “A simple go on the ground to say you support me,” would show Davis’ faith in him, he believes.

Standing in the House of Assembly on Monday morning, Forbes said his final goodbyes before walking out to a standing ovation by House members.

Why it matters?

Prospective candidates for the PLP, hoping to be ratified, have been scouting the Mangrove Cay, South and Central Andros constituency.

And back in November, Monique Pindling, daughter of former Prime Minister Lynden Pindling publicly confirmed her bid for that constituency on the PLP ticket.

The big picture

Forbes is a 13-year veteran of the House of Assembly and remained one of four PLP parliamentarians who retained their seats in the 2017 election. He along with party leader Philip Davis, deputy leader of the party Chester Cooper, Glennys Hanna Martin,  and recently joined Vaughn Miller made up the official Opposition.

What Forbes said before he left

Forbes said as MP for South and Central Andros, he has faced questions from his constituents who have asked him about the number of people his party has sent to canvass the area ahead of the General Election.

“To every house, you go to, the question is being asked, ‘Are you running? How many persons are the PLP going to put on the ground against you? When is this issue going to be cleared up?’

“When you continue to go back and forth on this, ..and after all of the questions in Mangrove Cay and you have given it your best, …and all these questions still abound, after all these years… farewell,” Forbes said to reporters.

Worth noting

Forbes still remains a member of the PLP to date. He did not announce a resignation but indicated that he will mull over further decisions and his connection with the party.