Gure, Iguan to lead Basil’s party

By REBECCA KUKU
RIGO MP Lekwa Gure is the new United Labour (ULP) Party leader and Markham MP Koni Iguan is the deputy.
The party made the announcement in Port Moresby yesterday following the death of Deputy Prime Minister Sam Basil in a car crash in Morobe last week.
Iguan, who is also the Deputy Speaker, endorsed 61 candidates to contest this year’s election.
He also announced that one of late Basil’s son would contest the Bulolo open seat under the ULP Party banner.
Iguan said the passing of Basil was a great loss to the party, he was supposed to lead ULP into its first election as a party.
“Basil was a strong, passionate, iconic man.
“His strength was shown in the way he revived the Pangu Pati, but due to some issues, he left and formed the ULP and this year was the first time his party would contest in the election.
“I must admit, many of us are here today because of him, so it is for him that we will carry the orange flame into the general election,” Iguan said.
“We are still in discussion, but the Basil family, the people of Buang and Bulolo, including the party, have all agreed.
“Basil has a lot of sons, so a decision will be made and we will officially announce the name after the burial.”