Former Free National Movement (FNM) Bamboo Town candidate Cassius Stuart yesterday called on Opposition Leader Dr. Hubert Minnis to resign immediately and said over the past week he has been "disgusted and disheartened" with the direction Minnis has taken the FNM.

"Dr. Minnis has not in any way proven that he can effectively lead the FNM, much less the country," Stuart said in a Facebook post. "If the FNM stands a chance in the next election, a new, dynamic leadership needs to emerge forthwith."

When contacted for comment, Minnis said he was dealing with a private matter.

Minnis has been embroiled in controversy following his admission in the House of Assembly that he met with Livingston "Toggie" Bullard, one of two "gang members", who allege in court documents that they were hired by Canadian fashion designer Peter Nygard to kill certain members of the Save The Bays environmental group. Nygard has denied the allegations.

Minnis' admission came weeks after the court documents were filed on March 9.

Former FNM Chairman Michael Pintard was identified as the individual who uncovered the alleged criminal conspiracy. He has since resigned as chairman and from his Senate post, but insisted the move was not an admission of guilt about anything.

Last week, Minnis confirmed that he met with Bullard three times at his (Minnis') residence. He said on one occasion Bullard asked him to warn Pintard that he was about to be set up by certain government members.

Minnis said he warned Pintard not to go to a meeting but the former chairman defied him. Minnis also claimed that the other two times Bullard came to his house he brought him fish. There have been calls in various circles, including among members of the FNM, for Minnis to explain the matter.

In Parliament, Minnis has been the target of a barrage of assertions from members of the governing side, who claimed the FNM and Save The Bays orchestrated a plot to destabilize the government.

Stuart, the former leader of the now defunct Bahamas Democratic Movement (BDM), said the FNM needs a "1992 experience" to remain relevant, "when a young dynamic leader took the mantle and fired up the troops, and [led] them into an overwhelming general election victory".

Hubert Ingraham led the FNM to its historic election in August 1992, after the 25-year rule of the Pindling-led Progressive Liberal Party (PLP).

"The FNM needs to structure its leadership team which will in turn reignite its base and give the organization new life," Stuart said. "Reformation must come or the party will die."

In April 2011, after a 13-year turn in politics, the BDM dissolved and most of its members joined the FNM.

During his time in the BDM, Stuart was a harsh critic of the policies of both the PLP and the FNM. His crushing defeat in the 2010 Elizabeth by-election led Stuart to reach out to the heads of the FNM and PLP.

Leading up to the FNM's November 2014 convention, Stuart considered running for deputy leader of the FNM, but later said he had a change of heart.

By Royston Jones Jr.

Guardian Staff Reporter

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