Rufina is Central governor

By AILEEN KWARAGU
People’s National Congress Party’s female candidate Rufina Peter is the first woman to be elected in the General Election 2022 (GE22).
She ousted sitting Central Governor Robert Agarobe on Friday night after she polled 62, 362 votes.
Agarobe (Pangu Pati) finished second with 58, 917 votes.
She is the second woman to become Central Governor.
Dame Josephine Abaijah was the first woman to represent Central in PNG’s House of Assembly in 1972.
Speaking at her declaration, Rufina said she had plans to transform the province using her experience and network as an agricultural economist.
“Being elected comes with great responsibilities because there is a lot to do for the province,” she said.
“I bring with me into the office of the Governor all my experience and networks in public and private sectors including my friends as international development partners.
“From here on, as the new governor, I stand ready to work with the provincial administration and all other elected leaders in Central.”
She first contested the seat in 2017 where she finished third, polling a total of 32, 221 votes.
She thanked all her supporters for choosing a woman despite the fact that Central was more of a patrilineal society.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister James Marape has congratulated the Central Governor for being the first female to be elected in GE22.
Marape said Rufina’s win showed that women could win based on merits and didn’t need reserved seats in Parliament.
He also sent his best wishes to female candidate Kessy Sawang who is still in the race for the Rai Coast seat in Madang, and said he was looking forward to working with women leaders in building the nation.
Pangu Pati also endorsed five women candidate, however, they were all unsuccessful.