Cleopatra Murphy

Freeport News Reporter

cleopatra@nasguard.com

Results: Renardo Curry (PLP): 2,367; Greg Gomez (FNM):1,513; Ali McIntosh (BCP):3

* Results are unofficial

The people have decided and Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) candidate Renardo Curry won the North Abaco seat during the North Abaco by-election yesterday, taking a seat that was held by the Free National Movement (FNM) since 1992 and which former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham had won five years prior as a member of the PLP.

Curry won the election by a healthy margin securing 2,367 of the votes cast, soundly defeating FNM candidate Greg Gomez, who secured 1,513 votes and Bahamas Constitution Party candidate Ali McIntosh.

"This has been a wonderful victory for an outstanding young man by the name of Renardo Curry. He comes from this area, he demonstrated that even though he lost in the general election, he got knocked down, that he was prepared to get right back up and now he has been successful. It's a wonderful example to the people of this area," Prime Minister Perry Christie said, following the unofficial results last night.

Christie in turn castigated the leadership of FNM for essentially being poor sports and not seeing Curry's win for what is was and called the claims of victimization by the opposition "stupidity."

"This is an magnificent victory for the people of this constituency who heard the claims that the PLP were victimizing people, rejected those claims, you saw them to be lies and you voted in massive numbers for Renardo and the PLP," he said.

Christie noted that once someone has won an election it is customary to concede with grace.

He said North Abaconians would be rewarded when he announces an appointment for Curry.

The prime minister noted that when the Cabinet met on the island it conducted an analysis of the constituency and noticed some of the challenges.

"We were able to look at the conditions of some of the roads and we know that in Marsh Harbor and all of the areas outside of Cooper's Town the roads needed attention and we will give it that attention," he said.

Renardo Curry, who will be installed as the new Member of Parliament for North Abaco was in a celebratory mood after his win and reflected on his loss in the May 7 election.

"I am feeling so great and one of the things I did even when I suffered that defeat as the prime minister indicated, I kept fighting and I was so happy when the opportunity (came) for me to run again, because I love my people and my people know that I am here to fight for them and tonight showed that they love me," he said.

Curry said he was ready to get to work.

"I want North Abaco to know that we are here and we are going to do our very best for them," he said.

Curry said he intends to spend time with residents and hear their concerns.

"We have a vision that we have been articulating and we are going to keep pushing forward, also listen to their concerns and hopefully we are going to turn North Abaco around and really take it to the next level," he said.

In a first, former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham issued a concession speech for FNM after its loss and not party leader Dr. Hubert Minnis.

Ingraham noted that the voters had made their choice and there was much work left to be done on North Abaco.

"There is much work to be done in terms of the economic, social and infrastructural development of North Abaco, building on the work I have been privileged to spearhead in my capacity as member of Parliament for 35 years and as head of the government for three non-consecutive terms. I call on the government to continue these efforts," he said.

The former prime minister also suggested that the PLP did not conduct a clean campaign.

"I remain deeply concerned about numerous instances of unfair practices by the Progressive Liberal Party and its agents during this campaign. This included intimidation and threats of victimization. Moving forward we will remain vigilant against attempts to victimize those who supported the opposition, which is their right to do so, without fear or the potential of disfavor by the government of the day."

Ingraham said, it is now time for the government to demonstrate a commitment to all Abaconians.