The election and announcement of the new Hela Governor will be contested in court. Komo Magarima MP, Francis Potape, made this statement today.
Potape rejected the decision announced on Friday by Minister for Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs, Sir Leo Dion, ruling Philip Undialu as Hela Governor.
“My faction will take this matter to court,” said Potape.
The Komo Magarima MP described the decision by Sir Dion as a ‘cooked-up process’ and that it was motivated by politics.
However, arriving in Port Moresby today, Koroba Lake Kopiago MP, Philip Undialu, held a news conference to welcome the decision by Deputy Prime Minister, Sir Leo Dion. MP Undialu said the decision must be upheld and MP Francis Potape must accept the decision.
Both leaders have called on people in Hela to remain calm and are optimistic to solve outstanding issues of Hela including the 4.27 equity, LNG benefits and projects outlined by the National Government.
MP Potape will be filing court papers tomorrow at the Waigani National Court to challenge the decision of Undialu’s declaration and the processes taken by the Hela House of Assembly on July 5.
