Kelly Accused of Politicizing NIB Delay as FNM Grasp for Momentum Amid Failing Campaign Strategy

Nassau, The Bahamas — The National Insurance Board (NIB) has confirmed that all October 2025 pension payments will be deposited on or before the official due date of October 21, following a brief technical delay in file transmission. However, political controversy erupted after Free National Movement (FNM) candidate for Central & South Eleuthera, Philippa Kelly, publicly suggested that pensioners were being neglected and left financially vulnerable. Critics now say the candidate and by extension the FNM is misleading the public in a desperate bid for political traction ahead of elections.

While NIB has apologized for the inconvenience, it also clarified that there has been no breach of the official payment schedule. In fact, pensioners across The Bahamas are well aware of these posted dates, as they receive the schedule every time they verify their status.

NIB further explained that although payments are often made earlier than the official date as a courtesy — sometimes as much as three to four days in advance when weekends or holiday cycles occur — this has never changed the official pay day.

“There are months when pensioners receive their funds before the scheduled date, but this is a customer convenience, not the official timeline,” a source familiar with NIB procedures noted. “The courtesy is common — but it is not a guarantee.”

Despite this widely known fact, Kelly publicly framed the matter as a violation against seniors. Her critics say this was a deliberate attempt to inflame public sentiment, not to inform it.

🎭 “Grasping for Straws” — A Failing Political Playbook

Political observers argue that Kelly’s narrative is part of a broader FNM campaign strategy built on fear-mongering, distortion, and sensationalism — a strategy that is not resonating with voters in 2025.

“This is the latest example of the FNM grasping for straws,” one commentator stated. “They are looking for anything — even something that isn’t actually late — to spark outrage and score brownie points. But Bahamians are more informed than they were ten years ago. These tactics are falling flat.”

Analysts note that the FNM has struggled to gain momentum this election cycle, and when larger narratives fail, the party appears to be leaning on small controversies in hopes one will stick. Yet the public’s response suggests these tactics are backfiring, especially when they involve pensioners — a group that Bahamians overwhelmingly believe should never be used as political pawns.

✅ THE FACTS

Pensioners have not been denied their monthly benefit.
Payments are still being deposited on or before the official date, as scheduled.
NIB has already fixed the issue and apologized.
Early payments are a courtesy, not a contractual obligation or new norm.
Claims of pensioners being “abandoned” are overblown and misleading.

Conclusion

The record is clear: a brief technical issue did not result in a late official payment, and NIB has moved swiftly to reassure the public. However, the FNM’s attempt to spin the situation into a crisis highlights a deeper political problem — their messaging strategy of dramatization and misinformation is losing credibility with the electorate.

As one pensioner put it on social media:

“We normally get it early. This month we’re getting it on the regular day. That’s not a crisis. Stop using us for politics.”

With election season intensifying, Bahamians are demanding facts, solutions, and stability — not theatrics. And in this instance, the facts simply do not match the story being pushed by Ms. Kelly and her party.

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