-Opposition leader warns that PM’s leadership will continue to be challenged since govt is controlled by outside forces-GNUT announces support for PM Manele
BY MORRIS NAFULEADER of Opposition Matthew Wale has condemned the endless political instability that continues to plague the Prime Minister’s leadership.Responding to the PM Jeremiah Manele’s statement that he has the numbers, Mr Wale said it is clear that the PM does not have control over the numbers, as he claimed.Rather, Wale said there are other forces, both within the NUT government, and also outside that control those numbers, an Opposition statement yesterday said.Meanwhile, the Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) has rallied behind PM Manele, citing support for him.GNUT assures the people of Solomon Islands that despite recent media reports of instability, its members remain united and fully committed to supporting PM Manele, a statement by the PM Press Secretariat yesterday said.The statement included a recent caucus photo of PM Manele flanked by 22 GNUT MPs.“Members of the GNUT Caucus have discussed recent issues and emphasized that, even when they have different views on some issues, they are working together for the good of all Solomon Islanders. During the recent caucus meeting, leaders of the coalition parties resolved to strengthen communication among the parties to ensure effective governance and unity for the people of Solomon Islands,” the PM Press Secretariat statement said.Wale stresses that the NUT government’s show of solidarity is a farce which hides the truth that his government is divided into groups which are under the control of outside influences.“This is a most terrible situation for the government and people of Solomon Islands,” Wale said.Wale said on the surface it may seem that the PM has the numbers, but if any one of the controlling forces are unhappy about any of their vested interests, the government would again be thrust into instability.He said the PM is focusing far too much time and resources into simply maintaining the numbers.Wale said this takes focus away from the real business of leadership and governing for all Solomon Islanders.“At some point, the right thing for the PM to do is to call the bluff of those forces that continue to undermine his leadership, and consider his position,” he said.“It is good that the PM thinks he has the numbers within the NUT government to continue to lead. But at some point, the interests of the nation and governing for the people must trump the need for the PM to merely survive politically. It takes political maturity to demonstrate that kind of responsibility.”Wale said the roots of the instability that continues to threaten the PM’s hold on power have not been dealt with.He said reshuffles are merely treating the symptoms of this problem.Therefore, the Opposition Leader said it is clear the instability has not been dealt with.Wale calls on the PM to prioritise political reforms to eliminate or mitigate against these root causes of political instability.“Both the electoral and political party laws need urgent reforms to assure greater stability in the government,” he said.