Political Knives Out for Pintard as Ingraham Betrays Him

Former prime minister’s explosive intervention intensifies efforts to remove the FNM leader

By The Bahamas Herald

NASSAU, The Bahamas — The political knives are out for Michael Pintard after former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham publicly undermined the embattled Free National Movement leader and signalled that the party should find someone else capable of winning the next general election.

The Bahamas Herald has been informed that members of the FNM’s parliamentary caucus have since asked Pintard to step aside as Leader of His Majesty’s Loyal Opposition, plunging the party into another potentially bruising leadership struggle.

Ingraham delivered the apparent political betrayal during an event commemorating the 34th anniversary of the FNM’s historic 1992 general-election victory.

Standing before Pintard and other senior party officials, the former prime minister declared: “Your job is to find someone who could win. Whoever that is.”

The message was unmistakable.

Although Ingraham did not directly call Pintard’s name, his comments were widely interpreted as a public declaration that the current leader is incapable of returning the FNM to government.

For Pintard, the intervention is especially damaging. He has repeatedly embraced Ingraham’s political legacy and relied heavily on the former prime minister’s support during his leadership of the party.

Now, just months after the FNM’s crushing defeat in the May 2026 general election, Ingraham appears to have abandoned him.

The Bahamas Herald understands that members of the parliamentary caucus subsequently communicated to Pintard that a leadership transition would be in the best interest of the Official Opposition and the wider party.

It remains unclear whether a formal letter has been prepared for Governor General Dame Cynthia “Mother” Pratt or which FNM parliamentarian would command majority support as Pintard’s successor.

Pintard has not publicly responded to the reported request.

Under Article 82 of the Constitution, the Governor General must appoint as Opposition leader the member of the House of Assembly best able to command the support of the majority of MPs opposed to the government. The appointment may be revoked if the incumbent loses that support.

Removing Pintard as Opposition leader would not automatically remove him as leader of the FNM. That position is governed separately by the party’s constitution and convention process.

However, losing the support of his parliamentary colleagues would severely weaken any attempt by Pintard to remain at the party’s helm.

The FNM won only eight of the House of Assembly’s 41 seats in the May 12 election, allowing Prime Minister Philip Davis and the Progressive Liberal Party to return to office with another commanding parliamentary majority.

Pintard retained Marco City and was subsequently reappointed Leader of the Opposition. He indicated following the defeat that he would consult party officials and consider the findings of an election post-mortem before making a decision about his future.

Ingraham’s dramatic intervention may have brought that timetable to an abrupt end.

With senior figures now manoeuvring behind the scenes and members of the parliamentary caucus reportedly demanding change, Pintard faces the most dangerous moment of his political career.

This is a developing story.

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