With last night’s announcement of a pact between the People’s National Congress (PNC) and the People’s Progress Party (PPP), there are indications that the highlands arm of the PPP is leaning towards the decision announced last by Sir Julius Chan and the PNC coalition members.
The Deputy Leader of the PPP for the Highlands Region, Kainantu’s Johnson Tuke, said this morning consent had been sought from party members to join a PNC led coalition.
This is despite claims that some PPP members would also head to the Goroka camp.
While Johnson Tuke has been under pressure to join the Pangu led coalition, he also indicated, the Sir Julius’ seniority as the founder of PPP is also being taken into consideration.
“Our consent was sought and the decision was announced,” Tuke said. “Sir J is the party’s mentor and he decides which strategic direction the party will take for the interests of the country.”
The PPP is currently without a party leader after Ben Micah lost the Kavieng seat to Ian Ling Stuckey. The national deputy leader, position is also vacant after Ken Fairweather’s loss in the Sumkar seat.
“The Party caucus will have to meet to decide who will take up the positions.”
Last night, the office of the outgoing Prime Minister, Peter O’Neill, released a statement signed by the PNC, URP and the PPP saying the parties had agreed to form government.
“There shouldn’t be any confusion about where Sir Julius stands,” a PPP staff said when contacted this morning. “Sir J met with the PNC and the statement was released by the office of the outgoing Prime Minister.”
6 comments
I think Sir Julius decision is based on the defeat of his son by the National Alliance President, Honorable Walter D. Schnaubelt for the Namatanai Open Seat. We wish him good luck
Its a dangerous trend when leaders with caliber put personal interest more than the people who mandated them.
Spot on.
Congratulations to Mr Robert Agarobe for ousting former Governor of Central. As we know people have spoken but please my appeal all elected members to work together and move Central forward. NO MORE POLITICAL DIFFERENCES.
Decision by Sir J to join PNC was purely a self interest motive. What a disgrace!
Thumbs up to the Oro Members led by Governor Juffa. We hope to see more development unlike previous years where mere petty politics had affected the Province.