The Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) is reeling from a barrage of self-inflicted wounds with an unpopular Prime Minister whose approval rating is plummeting at the speed of light but who is surrounded by a band of sycophants. The yes men and women around the naked emperor are reminiscent of the violin players on the Titanic as that vessel was catching water and eventually sank.
The latest episode of the New Day Netflix series featured Prime Minister Davis, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, PLP Members of Parliament, Opposition MPs and law enforcement officers. A fitting title for this episode would be “Democracy Day – When the Opposition had Enough”. It is a day that will forever remain on the pages of Bahamian history for generations. In the meantime, the PLP government continued its deadcatting strategy by creating a controversy around the main Bahamian cultural event – Junkanoo, with its political interference in the matter and the OPM issuance of a statement earlier this week stirring the pot. This controversy was unsuccessful in distracting Bahamians from the US indictment scandal, which will carry over into 2025.
Fall guy COP not enough
Davis contradicted the outgoing Commissioner of Police (who had claimed to be oblivious to the drug and arms trafficking scandal) when he informed the House that he had advised US authorities on three occasions about an uptick in these illegal activities. However, the PM failed to show leadership and strength when the story first broke; instead he downplayed the indictment as not being critical enough to warrant a contribution by the Opposition Leader. The PM failed to act decisively until he was pressured by the Bahamian people after an underwhelming national address by the outgoing COP. Davis has squandered his remaining goodwill with the populace following his insensitive comments about people’s choices impacting the cost of living.
If there were any doubts about the legitimacy of the allegations in the US indictment, the plane crash in Acklins and discovery of $15 million worth of cocaine last week ought to put such doubts to rest. It is clear that we are witnessing an unprecedented amount of drug trafficking under the Davis-Cooper administration. The PLP’s fate at the next general election therefore seems sealed but the PM has a chance to salvage what is left of his legacy by implementing real reforms to repair the damage to The Bahamas’ reputation on his watch.
In this regard, he should request the resignation of his National Security Minister (or fire him), and reassign the Aviation and Maritime portfolios in light of the damning allegations in the unsealed indictment. Finally, Davis should heed the call for a Commission of Inquiry and announce the date of commencement of nationally broadcast hearings.
Excessive force by the Police
In the midst of the pandemonium in the House, the manhandling of Opposition MPs by members of the uniformed branches in general and the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) in particular was deeply distressing. The international coverage was vast and the blurring of images showing FNM MPs being dragged down the stairs by international news agencies demonstrates just how disturbing these actions were. Duly elected MPs were treated like criminals following the suspension of House proceedings. The level of force exerted was unnecessary, unjustified and not commensurate to the protest by the Official Opposition.
This was simply a shameful display at a time the uniformed branches are under scrutiny and have lost the confidence of the Bahamian population. If they could handle lawmakers like that on national television, many cringe at the thought of how commoners are handled away from prying eyes and screens. The Speaker, the governing side and RBPF must take responsibility for this spectacle with a view to explaining why such violence was warranted and endorsed by them.
Who is the high ranking politician?
In the midst of the chaos and distractions, the identity of the high ranking politician referenced in the indictment remains a secret and the Bahamian people are still seeking answers from the Davis-led administration. The question is whether Davis has lost control of his government as he ought to know by now who this high ranking politician in his government and Party is.
Has the PM called a meeting of his Cabinet and Parliamentary caucus to determine the culprit? Is he simply hoping that the populace will forget about this with the approaching holiday season? Will Bahamians be left in limbo speculating about which PLP MP has brought shame and dishonor to our nation? Does Davis intend to wait until the US proceedings reveal the individual and further embarrass our nation? It is difficult to believe that the PM is totally clueless as to which of his Cabinet ministers or Parliamentarians was referenced in the indictment. Davis must shun the temptation to protect his Party and colleagues at the expense of the nation. He must choose country over self-preservation and his reelection ambition.
Lest we forget Black Tuesday
The mayhem that erupted in the House brought back memories of Black Tuesday in 1965. In his autobiography, Sir Lynden Oscar Pindling recounted the events and discussions leading up to that eventful day. Pindling recalled that the idea for the tossing of the mace came from either Sir Cecil Wallace-Whitfield or the Hon. A. Loftus Roker. The late Effie Walkes was also quoted as stating that she had implored PLP MPs to engage in radical and dramatic action as the planning for Black Tuesday ensued. It is no secret that Black Tuesday was planned, changing the trajectory of Bahamian politics and resulting in the majority rule.
It was injustice, marginalization and unfairness associated with gerrymandering and the actions of the Boundaries Commission that served as catalysts for Black Tuesday in 1965. In 2024, the fight was different, albeit it is the bias, unfairness, marginalization, and attempts by the Speaker to silence the Official Opposition that spurred the events of Democracy Wednesday.
In response to the tossing of the mace last week, Davis described the actions of the Opposition as shameful and copycat. Other PLP MPs described the event as chaotic, theatrics and dramatic. The PM for his part seems to have forgotten his theatrics as Opposition Leader when he was thrown out of the House on at least two occasions for supposedly disrupting proceedings. In one of those cases, Davis had brought and displayed an artist’s cartoon rendition for effects as he exited Parliament. What a difference a general election makes.
A new generation emerges
Several Bahamians did not witness Black Tuesday in person and only travel to that place in books and documentaries. Black Tuesday and Majority Rule were victories for the Bahamian people at large and not just supporters of the PLP. It is common knowledge that the Dissident Eight and founding fathers of the FNM fought alongside PLPs, Labor and Independents to birth the New Bahamas. Pindling and his contemporaries were freedom fighters who fulfilled their assignments for their generation. We salute them for the shade we enjoy because of the trees they planted and stand tall on their shoulders.
The legacy of our forefathers and foremothers lives on in the work of subsequent generations inspired by their sacrifices. It is incumbent on those of us in this generation to take hold of the baton and run our leg of the race. Democracy Wednesday was a step in that direction; it is not and does not replace Black Tuesday. It invokes the spirit of patriotism and democracy that has been dormant for some time. The Opposition MPs that were forcibly removed from the House of Assembly are not Sir Milo Butler, Sir Lynden Pindling or the Hon. A.D. Hanna but their names will be remembered in their own right for taking a stand for democracy. On a positive note, congratulations are extended to the incoming first female Commissioner of Police – Shanta Knowles. We wish her the very best as she is faced with the mammoth task of cleaning up the RBPF and restoring confidence in this important institution.
Written by:
Arinthia S. Komolafe
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