Dear Editor,

There was a time long ago when I dared to believe that Dr. Hubert A. Minnis (FNM - Killarney) possessed the 'stuff' of which prime ministers are made. In fact, I prophesied his rise to high office as leader of the opposition a few months before the general elections of 2012. He did not appear to believe me, but the rest is history.
For many months after his elevation, following the disgraceful and ignoble abandonment of the then shell shocked Free National Movement (FNM) by Hubert A. Ingraham, I was a paid political consultant to Minnis. He was not too generous, but the stipend was not too bad. There came a time, however, when I realized that he was, in fact, leader of the FNM, but he did not possess the political intelligence, gravitas or sensibilities to ever, in this life time, become prime minister of our wonderful nation. I told him so, publicly, and my financial arrangements with him came to an abrupt end.
Since then Dr. Minnis has not said a single word to me and vice versa. I do not miss him, surprisingly, at all. This man, reputedly a good medical doctor, seems to be prone to political foot in mouth disease. He recently proclaimed that an FNM administration led by him would 'find a buyer' for Baha Mar that had the interests of the people of The Bahamas 'at heart'.
These were an ill advised choice of words and sent shock waves throughout the local and international financial markets. No investor will invest a single dime in any country if the government of the day does not appear to have the constitutional and legal authority to strike enforceable contracts and heads of agreement.
It is to be kept in mind that five of the FNM's ratified candidates have been said to be allied with that man who declared that he was leader of the Baha Mar Nation, wherever that is... maybe in a place where the sun does not shine? The arrogance of this man is unbelievable.
Minnis, in one utterance, has destroyed whatever elusive chances the FNM had of winning the next general election. It is highly unlikely that the thousands of anxious Bahamians who are waiting for the grand opening of the Cable Beach saga will vote for a man and his party who wish to stop, review and cancel a private contract. Whoever his legal advisors are, they should be fired.
The PLP, despite our missteps and challenges, will be returned to office with a maximum of 24 seats. Some want more, but that is good enough for me. Loose lips and political ignorance on the part of Dr. Minnis will guarantee the results. To God then, even in the madness of this exercise, in all things, be the glory.

- Ortland H. Bodie Jr.

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