Above: Former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham in Abaco

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Former Bahamas Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham, whose Free National Movement government was ousted by the Progressive Liberal Party in the country’s May 7 vote, has bid farewell to the North Abaco constituency he represented for eight consecutive terms.

Ingraham resigned his post as FNM leader and the Member of Parliament for North Abaco following the party’s loss last Monday. He had led the FNM since 1990 and served three terms as Prime Minister.

“I have spent more than one half of my life in your service,” Ingraham told Abaconians this weekend. “I ran again this time to head the government for a fourth time; the Bahamian public rejected my message and denied my request.”

Ingraham, 64, was first elected to the House of Assembly in 1977. Former Health Minister and current Killarney MP Dr Hubert Minnis has been named Ingraham’s successor.

“I accept their determination and in the Westminster tradition of electoral democracy which we adhere to, I have determined to end my public life, which has spanned more than half my own lifetime,” he said.

Ingraham will officially resign from the House of Assembly on July 19th, the anniversary of his first election to Parliament.

The former Premier said he would be returning to his law office in Nassau, along with re-opening his law office Marsh Harbour, promising to spend more time in Abaco at his house in Cooper’s Town — and fishing.

New Prime Minister Perry Christie was formerly Ingraham’s law partner at Christie, Ingraham and Company. In 2002, he opened Hubert A Ingraham Law Chambers.

“I am honoured for the privilege to have been of service to you,” he said.