By ROGAN M. SMITH, Guardian Senior Reporter, rogan@nasguard.com

Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham paid tribute to a long-time friend who persuaded him to run again in the 2007 general election. Ingraham noted that the senior politician stayed with the Free National Movement party even after its founder suffered a crushing defeat in the 70s and almost didn't become the Member of Parliament (MP) for South Abaco.

The Prime Minister honored former South Abaco MP, Robert Sweeting over the weekend during a testimonial banquet in Abaco.

Sweeting represented the Family Island constituency for three terms before announcing his retirement in the House of Assembly.

He did not seek re-election in the May 2007 general election and was instead replaced by his successor, Edison M. Key, who had once been a fierce opponent.

Prime Minister Ingraham said Sweeting has always been a loyal Free National Movement (FNM) member, supporter and activist who never failed to do his part, even during difficult times.

"Even during the seventies, which was a tumultuous and divisive decade for the Opposition, Robert remained loyal and never lost heart," he said.

"While some went off in different directions, Robert was among those who, like Jack Albury and others, never wavered in their commitment to the FNM. When the FNM's founding leader, Sir Cecil Wallace Whitfield, suffered a humiliating defeat in 1977, many forsook him and fled, but Robert remained a strong FNM," said Ingraham.

Ingraham became leader of the FNM in 1990. Two years later, a third parliamentary seat was created in Abaco.

Ingraham said Sweeting sought the party's nomination for that seat. However, the party could not get a consensus and decided to hold a primary among FNM members and supporters.

Sweeting failed to secure the nomination. FNM member Perry Cook, swept to victory with the largest number of votes.

"Captain Leonard Thompson turned to me and said, 'Robert has been a faithful servant of our party. It's his turn. Tell the people that he is your choice and they will go along with that'," Ingraham said.

"I told Captain Thompson that although Robert was indeed my choice, I couldn't do that because the people had already voted. But you know Captain Thompson, he insisted. We spoke to Perry Cook and he agreed that it was Robert's turn. So he and I told the group what we thought and the people agreed."

At the time, Cook was ill, although he didn't know it.

He lived long enough to celebrate Sweeting's election as an FNM Member of Parliament and the first FNM administration.

He passed away a few months later.

"Robert told me that he only wanted two terms in the House of Assembly. So near the end of his second term he announced his retirement and made a moving farewell address in the House (of Assembly)," Ingraham said.

The prime minister later recommended him for the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2001 for his years of service to Abaco and The Bahamas.

"Like Robert, I had also hoped not to run in 2002. But when Robert's intended replacement defected to the other side and I saw how the campaign was going, I came to the conclusion that both he and I would have to offer again so that we could hold both Abaco seats for the FNM," Ingraham said.

"So, notwithstanding his farewell speech in the House and notwithstanding the fact that I did not consult him, I announced at the contract signing for the new Port of Marsh Harbour that both he and I would offer again in the 2002 general elections."

Ingraham admitted that he was not much help to FNM members in the House of Assembly after they were relegated to the opposition.

"We were a small minority in the new House of Assembly. I considered myself retired, so, during House debates, I would speak and more often than not leave," he said.

" For two-and-a-half years, Robert, Alvin (Smith), Ken (Russell), Brent (Symonette), Lindy (Russell) and Neko (Grant) took the full brunt of PLP gloating, victimization, sear attacks and full-throttled frontal attacks. Robert took the best they had to offer. And he stood tall. He was a tenacious debater, focused and determined to be heard and listened to and the record shows that he gave more than he got."

Ingraham said Sweeting had "an enviable attendance record through three terms in the House. He was a good MP and a full participant in our parliamentary caucuses and in parliamentary debate."

Sweeting also served as chairman of the New Providence Port Authority.

Ingraham also credited Sweeting for pressuring him to return to office. Ingraham was re-elected in 2007 - his third non-consecutive term in office as prime minister.

"As life would have it, the man whom Robert defeated in 1997 and again in 2002 had, by 2005, joined us," he said.

"And in one of those great twists of fate that man, Edison Key, became our standard bearer and Robert's replacement as the FNM representative for South Abaco in Parliament."