The Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) has now finally defeated its latest great foe (Ingraham). Its candidate Renardo Curry won the North Abaco by-election, a seat Ingraham held for 35 years after the former prime minister's retirement. Prime Minister Perry Christie now stands alone on top of the Bahamian political mountain and he now has some significant political achievements.
Christie has won a second term as did Sir Lynden Pindling and Hubert Ingraham. Christie has also retired a multi-term prime minister and taken his seat, just as Ingraham did to Sir Lynden. As prime minister he now has no rivals, as the PLP's leadership is something that has to be given to another by the holder of the office - it cannot be taken away.
There are some positive trends ahead for Christie. Baha Mar is scheduled to open in 2014, 1,000 jobs are coming in Grand Bahama, and the government seems prepared to green light several other projects under consideration. If these projects help drop the joblessness rate a few points, Christie and his party could go in to the next general election in a strong position.
Another unraveling situation may further strengthen the PLP's leader. The FNM is in another divisive leadership transition. Current party Leader Dr. Hubert Minnis has lashed out against Ingraham, and the Ingrahamites are unhappy. Further, FNMs are increasingly questioning if the new leader has what it takes to lead them to success. The opposition party was crushed in the North Abaco by-election, the first electoral test of the doctor's leadership.
We assume the FNM will sort out its leadership questions long before the next vote. But suppose the party does not. In such a scenario, Christie would have a clear path to another win. Most people assume he will not run again. It is unclear why they would assume that.
Since returning to office Christie has again demonstrated a love for being prime minister. On a rally stage in Abaco he even went as far as saying God put him back in the job.
"If Hubert Ingraham, or [Hubert] Minnis, if they want something to happen for you, listen now, I know they want something to happen for you if not this year, next year or even the year after," he said.
"But guess what? Do you know who the prime minister of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas is?
"You could go to Hubert. You can go to [Greg] Gomez. You even could go to Minnis, but then they got to call me.
"They could have the best intention in the world. They can pray and [say], 'Oh God I want to do this'. But God has spoken. God has made me the prime minister of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas."
All powerful and with "the hand of God" behind him, do you think Christie would turn down a free run at another five years as the "divinely ordained" ruler of The Bahamas?
No Bahamian leader thus far has retired while prime minister. Even when things looked tough, as they did in 1992 for Sir Lynden and in 2012 for Ingraham, the leaders still tried again to maintain power.
And those who crave Christie's seat should not assume he is going anywhere just because of his age. Christie is 69. Ronald Regan began his presidency at the age of 69. The West German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer was in office until he was 87.
A culture has emerged in the post-independent Bahamas in which leaders do not leave. They have to be defeated in general elections in crushing defeats for them to go. We have no term limits, so men can run the country until they die if the people keep voting for them. If Christie wins another term he would equal Ingraham. This may be a goal of his.
Of course, it is too early to speculate about the next general election. A lifetime exists between now and then. But history has shown us that our PMs love that job. They love it so much that they just can't let it go.

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