O’Neill eyes second term

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By MALUM NALU
PEOPLE’S National Congress Party leader Peter O’Neill is confident of being re-elected prime minister in Parliament on Wednesday as the numbers at the Alotau camp soared to 54.
He needs only two more on his side to have the majority needed to form the government.
He arrived in Alotau late yesterday with Hagen MP-elect and United Resources Party leader William Duma, Kompiam-Ambum MP-elect John Pundari, Lagaip-Porgera MP-elect Tomait Kapili and Nick Kuman.
The Electoral Commission is yet to confirm whether Kuman or his main rival, Dawa Lucas Dekena, has won the Gumine seat in Chimbu.
Also arriving yesterday were Bari Palma (Kerowagi), Robert Atiyafa (Henganofi) and Benny Allan (Unggai-Bena), Western Highlands Regional MP-elect Paias Wingti, Powes Parkop, John Kaupa of Moresby North-East and United Party leader Rimbink Pato of Wapenamenda.
“We’ve got another 10 to come,” O’Neill said.
“As you know, we’ve got 10 more declarations to go and we’re confident that our members and coalition partners will do well and increase our numbers.”
He said Alotau, where the first Alotau Accord was delivered after the 2012 election, was a special place for both PNC and its coalition partners.
“It is a good omen and brings back good memories for our team,” O’Neill said.
“We look forward to working closely with the leaders here.”
Alotau MP-elect Charles Abel said the People’s National Congress and its partners were set to form the next government.