I’ve been meaning to address the long-discussed topic of what ever happened to the man we once called,  “Hubiggety”? Is he practicing Simon & Garfunkel’s, “Sound of Silence” or has he, over the years, morphed into a political elf, working feverishly behind the scenes to get what he wants done in the dark and deadly, but yet delightful and entertaining, realm of Bahamian politics?

There are many questions about the former FNM prime minister’s current political status, as he remains quiet, giving very little indication of what he really wants to see happen politically in this country. We are used to hearing him strongly expressing his views publicly, with no apology. 

Many moons ago, Dr. Hubert Minnis, the incoming leader of the then FNM Opposition, desperately told the press, “The Ingraham era is over” as he felt former PM Ingraham was getting more media play than him. Mr. Ingraham pulled back a little then, but still had his say when he pleased. 

Hon. Hubert Ingraham, Former Prime Minister

As a young reporter in the 1990s, I quite enjoyed Ingraham’s “sassiness” at press conferences and even in the House of Assembly. At that time, I would never have believed the day would come when his voice was quiet and we hardly ever saw him. That was simply unbelievable! Unthinkable!

But, here we are ….  

Ingraham is by far one of the more popular prime ministers of our country. (We all know who is the least popular, but we will leave that there.) His stand-out phrase, “I say what I mean and mean what I say”, is unforgettable to many. So why is he so quiet now?

If someone from the press calls up Ingraham right now for an interview or invites him to be a part of a television show, I can almost guarantee he will respectfully decline. This has been the case for quite some time now. 

I don’t want to dwell on this, however, there are many who feel former PM Ingraham went back to his political roots and embraced his Progressive Liberal Party colleagues. And, the same people feel he is more comfortable with the current Prime Minister as they are close friends and once law partners. They feel his being shunned by the former leader of his FNM party drove him back to the PLP. Whereas this is what is being said, I cannot see Hubert Ingraham high-tailing it because of the likes of one Hubert Minnis. But, what is keeping him so quiet though?

Apart from his brief endorsement of the FNM candidate for the West Grand Bahama & Bimini by-election, Ingraham appears slightly detached from the FNM. Whereas he probably wants to make sure that Michael Pintard gets full attention as the FNM’s leader, there are issues in that party that I feel he can come out publicly on – fully backing his leader and showing full support. But he remains quiet!

Then there’s the thing with FNM Chairman, Dr. Duane Sands. We know Ingraham fully supported Sands as the candidate for Elizabeth and appeared to be even more supportive of Sands becoming Prime Minister, but on that subject too, he remains quiet. Ingraham, as far as the eye could see, appeared to be Sands’ political mentor, however, Sands now appears to be on his own taking blows on the political battlefield all alone. Ingraham remains quiet with not a public word in defense of his political mentee. Silence!

After the defeat of the FNM in 2012, Ingraham practically handed over the FNM to his close personal friend, Dr. Minnis, who hit the ground running and secured a win in 2017. Since then Minnis lost his way distancing himself from Ingraham and alienating and upsetting many FNM supporters who showed him more than they could tell him by not showing up at the polls to vote in 2021. 

Since then, Pintard has had a tumultuous time with Minnis and his sordid team of minions, to include the mouths-for-hire. Constant rows, alleged attacks, court actions, public beatings and disrespect is what is going on in the FNM and someone connected to the Minnis-faction is always involved somehow. Even in this, Ingraham remains publicly silent. 

The FNM, although it appears to be putting itself in order, needs help. I’ve said repeatedly that Minnis is bad for the FNM, but still he insists on fighting to take back the reins of leadership and has recently pulled in Bran McCartney to his tiny support team. The FNM has announced its one-day convention for June 1, 2024. Let’s see if Minnis is going to leave in utter embarrassment after the convention or will he shame all of his naysayers.  

Is Ingraham helping to quell the FNM chaos enough? Is he standing by Pintard’s side and advising him as a former leader should? Or is he silent on these issues, too?

My thoughts are these …. Ingraham pretty much “made” Minnis a politician. He gave him a massive, safe seat – Killarney in 2007. He handed him the baton of FNM leadership. Now that Minnis has become a menace to the FNM leadership, then his mentor, Ingraham, should be the one to form the committee to rid the party, he brought from drought to victory, of Minnis. Ingraham brought him in, so Ingraham should escort him out kicking and screaming. There should be no silence on this. Yet, there is silence. 

If anyone should be at Pintard’s side constantly now, it should be Hubert Ingraham. As Minnis is building his army, Ingraham should be assisting with beefing up the FNM’s arsenal by re-engaging Rev. Frederick McAlpine, Cassius Stuart and Omar Smith (and others) as candidates and healing the wounds of disenfranchised FNMs. 

Hubert Ingraham was the FNM’s Moses in 1992. He brought the FNM to the promised land of governance. He brought the party to another victory in 1997 and then again in 2007. He was well respected and revered, but now he is quiet. Why?

I am calling on Hubert Ingraham to break his pregnant silence, roll his sleeves up, return to Bahamian politics and speak up. He should be a beacon to his people and not one who seemingly abandoned them.  The “Sound of Silence” can be deafening sometimes. Well that’s how I see it, anyway.

“AS I SEE IT” DISCLAIMER – The views and opinions represented in this column, “As I See It” belong to the columnist and do not necessarily represent those of the Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas. The views and opinions expressed in the column are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, or individual. This column is for informational purposes only.

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