Tonight, former Prime Minister and Member of Parliament for North Abaco Hubert Ingraham announced his resignation from the House of Assembly and his return to private life after.

Mr Ingraham made his somber statement shortly after the unofficial announcement that the Progressive Liberal Party had won 27 seats in Parliament.

"I would like to congratulate the leader of the party and his candidates. I should like to thank the FNM for making me their leader," Ingraham stated.

"I shall not go on to lead this party as the opposition. I shall not set my feet in the House of Assembly, and I shall return to private life from whence I came."

Mr Ingraham thanked his wife for standing by him, his closest friend for supporting him, as well as the candidates of the Free National Movement for allowing him to lead them thus far.

Mr Ingraham went on to thank the constituents of North Abaco that supported him with their votes.

Mr Ingraham's remarks were tempered with the applause of the crowd at the headquarters of the Free National Movement.

Many supporters also shouted statements like "still the best" and "still my papa".

by Jasper Haeward