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NA’s Highlands bloc
batting for top post
By JAMES APA GUMUNO
THE Highlands bloc within
the ruling National Alliance party has increased its numbers to 13, and
may make a bid for the prime minister’s post.
Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare had accepted the invitation by the
Governor-General for the NA to form government, and the party was
firming up its numbers by signing memoranda of agreement with its
coalition partners in Kokopo.
These political parties have also handed in their party resolutions
assuring their support for the NA candidate on the floor of Parliament
during voting on Monday.
The Highlands NA bloc, which held its camp in Goroka before flying to
Kokopo to join the main camp, was backing Deputy Prime Minister Don
Polye for the top post.
The region returned nine MPs, but with the inclusion of four
independents, has increased its number to 13.
The latest inclusion is Western Highlands governor-elect Tom Olga.
Yesterday, Mr Olga boarded an afternoon flight out of Port Moresby
accompanied by Mr Polye to Kokopo.
A source from within the camp in Kokopo said the NA constitution clearly
stated that a region that has greater number of seats would be given the
opportunity to lead the party.
The source, who asked not to be named, said clearly the Highlands had
outperformed the other three regions, and should be given that
opportunity.
The Momase region has nine NA members followed by Southern region with
five and New Guinea Islands with four.
The source told The National under the party constitution, a party
leader cannot serve two terms in parliament.
He said that it would be against the party’s own constitution if Prime
Minister Sir Michael Somare wanted to serve another term as a leader of
NA.
The source said the party’s constitution was clear and the leadership
must be put on the floor for the party caucus to decide before the
election of the prime minister.
The Office of the Prime Minister had in the past rejected this, saying
there is no such provision in the constitution and that Sir Michael
would continue to lead, as agree during the party convention last year.
 
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