PM rejects O’Neill’s claim

The National Main Stories

PRIME Minister James Marape, while congratulating newly-elected Menyamya MP and People’s National Congress (PNC) party candidate Benjamin Philip on his election, has denied suggestions by party leader Peter O’Neill that he stole power from him.
Marape was responding to comments by former prime minister O’Neill after the declaration of the winner of Menyamya by-election yesterday.
“O’Neill, who has rarely been seen in his Ialibu-Pangia electorate and Papua New Guinea since his resignation as Prime Minister on May 29, 2019, still sees fit to mislead our people,” Marape said in a statement.
“He resigned from office and the democratic process of election of a prime minister took precedence.”
O’Neill said it had been clear throughout the (Menyamya) by-election campaign that people were angry with the “murky politics” that had seen power stolen without a direct mandate from the people.
Marape, whose Pangu Pati did not field a candidate out of respect for the late MP Thomas Pelika, said O’Neill was wrong in his assertion that power had been stolen from him.
“Members of Parliament voted overwhelmingly 101-8, one year ago last May, to make me the prime minister,” Marape said.
“If anyone played ‘murky politics’, resulting in no one wanting to vote him, it is Peter O’Neill. He has a lot to answer for in his term as prime minister – he needs to come back to PNG to deal with these matters.”
Marape said the PNC victory in Menyamya was in no way a referendum on who was right and who was wrong.
Marape commended Philip on his election as Menyamya MP.
“I look forward to working with Benjamin Philip for the balance of this term of Parliament.”

9 comments

  • Dear PMJM, we will see PNC in year 2022 election. Its just you have respected Thomas Pelika and didn’t put one pangu candidate so people went to PNC as its been there. Trust me just put a pangu candidate comes election and we’ll see from there. “”Pangu save long road””

  • Really you are right..Respect is the most precious dignity placed in human well beings,two way traffic “you give and you take”(nere tere).Good on you Pangu Pati for not endorsing any candidate for menyamya by-election by respecting late Thomas Pelika.2022 is you turn..so full swing..

  • The reality in most parts of PNG is that people vote for the individual and not along party lines. Therefore, no party should claim victory in any election even after a win because people voted for that person and not the party. Any party that does its homework and selects the right candidates through an established party system down to the districts will always come on top!

  • PMJM…you are chosen by the Almighty God to lead this blessed nation for honesty and transparency. There won’t be any more any more corruption after 2022.

  • If PMJM is chosen by God, we haven’t seen any miracles as yet……more talking and less action. When is PMJM walk the talk? Confused government do not know where to start. Oneil does not need to come to his electorate. He has done everything for his electorate in terms of infrustructure, school fee subsidy and many others. Now is his time to relax and plan his return coming 2022. Cant wait to see big boys play the game in the likes of Pangu, NA and PNC.

  • I see James Marape and Julius Chan as my political heroes but I cannot put down all former PMs. They have all been our leaders in different SEASONS. Let alone God be the perfect judge for He alone dethrones and places Kings on the throne! Papua New Guineans must not have the mindset of the 80s to classify leaders. We cannot progress this way! Let’s all work together with any ruling party of the day! God bless my Papua New Guinea!

  • yomo longi,

    it is not about your electorate,lalibu pangia.. this is for the country. what you trying to say must be better than your silence,..

  • Well from a sideline stand this battle of power and words seems never ending. I just imagined how the next 2022 National Election will be like with the Pangu and PNC showcasing their strength to win seats with other parties coming off behind the race. I hope this Christian leader values the next government will be formed does not makeup of leaders who buy votes with money which is bribery.
    May we say a Christian National Government for a Christian Nation when the process of all our leader being elected in the election does not involve greed to use forms of bribery through use of money and empty promises. Otherwise leaders entering the parliament through such acts by these election strategies then forming government, how can we explain that then by saying Christian Government and Nation.

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