As the Free National Movement (FNM) and the Bahamian public call—once again—for accountability and transparency, the Progressive Liberal Party’s (PLP) so-called “New Day” government has responded not with facts, not with clarity, but with a now-familiar brand of political gas-lighting. According to the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), those daring to ask for the transparency the PLP promised are now being labeled as—“unpatriotic.”

You heard that right. Wanting to know what’s in a billion-dollar energy deal that affects every Bahamian household is, in the eyes of this government, unpatriotic. We’ve seen this political theatre before, haven’t we?

Let’s rewind to 2016—“PM: No secrecy over Baha Mar,” they claimed. Perry Christie, then Prime Minister, infamously declared that there was “nothing secret” about the Baha Mar deal, even as he simultaneously insisted he couldn’t disclose anything about it due to so-called “legal sensitivities.” Lawyers, he said, had advised him to keep Bahamians in the dark. At the same press conference, Christie lashed out at critics, questioning their fitness for public service simply because they asked questions about a multi-billion-dollar deal funded by foreign banks and impacting Bahamian jobs and tourism.

Sound familiar?

Fast-forward to 2025. Today, it’s Bahamas Power and Light (BPL). And once again, the PLP government—now led by Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis—is dodging transparency like it’s an infectious disease. The FNM, led by Michael Pintard, has called for the immediate release of the BPL contracts. The government’s response? Recycle the same tired excuse: “We can’t disclose the deals—it might affect negotiations.” How very convenient.

This time, it’s U.S.-based Pike Corporation handling a major chunk of the work, and the deals are supposedly not finalized. Yet the company is already on the ground, working. So if the contracts are so fragile they’d crumble under the weight of public scrutiny, how were they strong enough to sign off on, let alone implement?

Let’s be clear; The PLP government isn’t shielding these details for strategic purposes—they’re shielding them because transparency exposes power, and this administration would rather condescend than come clean.

In a laughable attempt at deflection, the OPM issued a statement claiming the FNM is only asking questions because they “aren’t afraid the reforms won’t work; they’re afraid they will.” That line is so rich in deflection it should be taxed. The Bahamian people are not afraid of success. They are afraid of secrecy, sweetheart deals, and unchecked political maneuvering dressed up as national progress.

They are afraid of déjà vu—of Baha Mar 2.0. A billion dollars for BPL, with undisclosed terms, foreign partners, and a governing party acting like public scrutiny is an act of treason.

This isn’t governance. It’s a Broadway revival of a bad play—and yes, we’ve seen this act before.

So no, Mr. Prime Minister. The demand for transparency is not “unpatriotic.” It is the essence of patriotism. It is what responsible citizens do in a democratic society. What’s unpatriotic is trying to silence dissent by equating questions with sabotage.

Transparency isn’t just a promise—it’s a duty. And if this New Day government can’t or won’t deliver it, then perhaps it’s time we dim the lights on this show entirely.

The Progressive Liberal Party fails for one reason, it is their nature.

END