wellingtonroberts

Former Coalition of Independents member Wellington Roberts said he would reveal damning details about the party if members persist in criticizing his decision to leave and support the Progressive Liberal Party.

“I ain’t tell the full story. If I tell the full story, the wall of Jericho will come crumbling down,” Roberts warned.

When Roberts initially resigned from the COI, he cited health, safety, and financial concerns after receiving the nomination to run for the party in the North Andros and the Berry Island constituency.

However, on Monday, Roberts insisted there were other reasons why he left the party, “that I would not mention at this time.”

Since the move to leave the party, Roberts has received backlash on social media with many calling him a “traitor.”

Roberts said on Monday during a social media live, “I ain’t tell the full story yet. I am begging you and your organization to leave me alone. The slick jeers, the slick comments…you’ll leave me alone.”

He spoke directly to Bain, “Talk to them, because you’ll control them. They are you’ll ‘blackanites,’ ‘COInites,’ ‘Lincolnites.’ Talk to them. Leave me alone. Let sleeping dogs lie. I ain’t tell the full story.”

Why it matters

Roberts was considered an influential member of the third-party COI before his resignation. He garnered a large number of social media followings as he worked with Bain to expose “corruption” that they said are in the governing party and the PLP.

On the day of his resignation, he was seen dressed in a PLP shirt standing with Opposition Leader Philip Davis, while campaigning for the party.

Roberts said he now supports the PLP’s candidate for the North Andros and the Berry Islands Leonardo Lighbourne

Leader of the Coalition of Independence Lincoln Bain and candidate Wellington Roberts were fighting the same ‘enemy,’ the two major political parties. But on Thursday evening that all changed when Roberts joined the official opposition, the Progressive Liberal Party, two weeks before voters go to the poll.

Following Wellington’s resignation from the COI, Bain took to social media at 8:30 Thursday night, expressing surprise at Robert’s move, after he was seen campaigning with PLP Leader Philip Davis.

“Just up to a few days ago, you were saying that we cannot let ‘Brave’ Davis get control of this country,” Bain said to Roberts in a live video post that saw more than 2500 views.

“Publicly for the last several months, you were standing up against the FNM and the PLP, and you were terrified of a country under ‘Brave’ Davis.”

Bain suggested that Roberts was weak for allowing the PLP to “buy him out.” Bain said he anticipates his party will win the government and Roberts will not “cross over to the new Bahamas.”

At 9:30, Roberts went live with nearly 4000 views and hit back at Bain, lamenting the financial burden he endured during his campaign in North Andros and the Berry Island, with no assistance from the COI.

“Ain’t no one can buy me out…I asked, I begged [and] I put out sponsorship letters. That didn’t work.”

“It took me money to travel to Andros, covid test, travel visa, ticket, SD (vehicle), hotel room and $400 (for nomination).

“I’m not going to lie to myself anymore.”

Roberts who was still in Andros during the live stream said it cost $900 to make the trip. He also lamented his struggle to find signatures for his nominations.

Roberts said he then knew he did not have the political support on the islands.

He then hit out at Bain for once leaving two political groups, the Free National Movement and the Democratic National Alliance.

Roberts, a strong critic of Davis, said before resigning from the COI, he held a discussion with the opposition leader.

“Davis is a nice guy. He didn’t offer me anything.”

Roberts will support the PLP candidate for Andros and the Berry Island, Leonardo Lightborne.

The North Andros candidate for the  Coalition of Independence Wellington Roberts dropped his bid for election and jumped ship to join the Progressive Liberal Party.

In a viral post, 36-year-old Roberts is seen dressed in PLP attire while campaigning with the opposition party.

Roberts is a self-proclaimed comedian and a known critic of the Free National Movement and the Progressive Liberal Party and has spoken publicly against the two major political parties.

He jumped to social media fame during a protest Down Town when furloughed Atlantis workers demonstrated for severance pay. Roberts was arrested for inciting unrest and disorderly behavior.

His decision to join forces with the PLP has provoked a response from the COI who confirmed the resignation of Roberts.

“Many people are weak and will sell out their nation for a bowl of porridge,” the party said.

The COI led by Lincoln Bain, is a newly formed party that has branded itself as an advocate of the country’s natural resources, and said, despite Roberts’ resignation, the party will “remain committed to standing with and for Bahamians who are dissatisfied with the state this country is in.”

However, Roberts has since released a short statement on social media claiming his decision was  made “in the best interest of myself, family and country.”

Roberts was in court on Tuesday for trial and maintained a not guilty plea to the charges levied against him. Magistrate Samuel McKinney is set to make a ruling on the matter next month.

(Roberts is seen on the right in featured photo)