Basil vows to work with ‘chosen leaders’

By PISAI GUMAR
PANGU Pati leader Sam Basil says he will work with leaders chosen by God to govern the country such as Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare before him.
Basil addressed more than 1000 delegates at the Buang National Youth Easter Bible camp at Bulandem village in Buang on Friday.
“Despite many of my criticisms of Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and his deputy Leo Dion in 2012-2017, O’Neill at no time used his power to attack me and ignore the Bulolo people,” he said.
“Similarly, to Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare in 2007-2012. In 2016 I went to Wewak and apologised and offered gifts to Sir Michael who appreciated it in front of his people.”
Basil last week invited O’Neill to Buang for Easter but the prime minister could not attend because he was dealing with the burning down of Ialibu-Pangia High School.
O’Neill apologised for his absence and committed some funds to the Buang youth conference.
“If God chooses leaders to lead his people by using Parliament to rule, who am I and Bulolo district to criticise them from the Opposition in the past 10 years?” Basil said.
“The Bulolo people and Pangu Pati will still invite the Prime Minister to Bulolo and reconcile when the time is right.”
Deputy Pangu Pati leader and Goilala MP William Samb agreed with Basil that they must give their undivided support to the O’Neill-led government.