Now that Dr. Hubert Minnis has retained his post as Free National Movement (FNM) leader, former Deputy Prime Minister Frank Watson believes that Minnis should not alienate the six MPs who expressed a lack of confidence in his leadership, as he "will need the input of all FNMs to develop the proper plan" to win the next general election.
"I think one of the first things he should do is get the council to ratify all the standing members and that will go a long way towards unity," Watson told The Nassau Guardian.
"If we're going to do unity, we have to talk it and not just walk it.
"I would like to see that we are totally united, that we are setting a course for the next election and ready to fight that battle."
Last week, the highly anticipated convention seemed to go off the rails after high drama took over the second night of the three-day event.
Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner contested Minnis for the leadership position while her running mate Senator Dr. Duane Sands was vying against FNM Deputy Leader Peter Turnquest.
Hours after her 45-minute speech was interrupted by "Roc Wit Doc" chants, Butler-Turner and Sands confirmed to The Guardian around 2 a.m. on Friday that they had withdrawn from the leadership and deputy leadership races respectively, calling the process "corrupt".
Watson has openly supported the Butler-Turner and Sands ticket.
When asked if he believes Minnis has what it takes to reunite the FNM, he said, "I certainly hope so."
He suggested that Minnis should embrace all of the standing members of the FNM for a better party.
The Nassau Guardian understands Butler-Turner has been offered a renomination, the post of leader of opposition business in the House of Assembly, a prominent role in the Free National Movement's (FNM) general election campaign and a senior position in a Minnis Cabinet, should the FNM win the election while Sands has been assured that he would remain the candidate for Elizabeth.
He has also been offered a prominent role in the national campaign, the post of leader of opposition business in the Senate and a senior position.
Fort Charlotte MP Dr. Andre Rollins, Montagu MP Richard Lightbourn, Central Grand Bahama MP Neko Grant, North Eleuthera MP Theo Neilly and St. Anne's MP Hubert Chipman have also expressed dissatisfaction in Minnis' leadership.

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