O’Neill: Aihi an ‘outstanding leader’

PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill yesterday expressed total confidence in the leadership of Paru Aihi, who this week lost his Kairuku-Hiri seat in a decision of the Court of Disputed Returns.
“Paru Aihi is an outstanding leader who is dedicated to his people and country,” O’Neill said.
“He works hard in cabinet and at other levels of decision-making.
“It is unfortunate that he has lost the seat of Kairuku-Hiri through a decision of the court.
“While we are disappointed, we respect the decision of the court,” the prime minister stated.
“I have spoken with Paru and left it to him and his legal advisers to decide whether to seek a judicial review of this decision or go straight to a by-election.
“Whatever he decides, the People’s National Congress Party and I will stand by him and give him our full support,” he said.
O’Neill assured the people of Kairuku-Hiri that development programmes initiated by Aihi remained intact and would be implemented without disruption.
“I call on the people of the electorate, particularly the supporters of Aihi, to remain calm while the leader resolves this issue in court.”