Seven to run under NA

By JUNIOR UKAHA
A FORMER MP and two current local level government (LLG) presidents are among seven candidates to contest the general election under the National Alliance (NA) Party ticket.
In a two-day provincial party convention in Lae, which ended yesterday, the candidates were inducted and given the blessings by the party’s Morobe branch executives.
The candidates are Timothy Bonga (Nawaeb), Daki Mao (Markham), Epemu Kiwenu (Kabwum), Julius Kunai Ikoliso (Menyamya), Samuel Taekonec Gwakolok (Bulolo), Ross Seymour (Huon Gulf) and only female candidate Lesley Angori (Finschhafen).
Bonga is a former three-term (1982-1986, 1987-1992 and 2007-2012) MP for Nawaeb open in Morobe and Mao and Kiwenu are incumbent LLG presidents.
Ben Garry, NA council member, said he was confident NA would send at least five MPs into Parliament this year.
“I am confident about the candidates we have endorsed,” Garry said.
Bonga, who is a founding member of NA, along with political icon Sir Michael Somare, said the party was yet to secure candidates for the Morobe regional, Lae open and Tewai-Siassi open seats.
Bonga said the candidates were selected on merits and on their standing in their communities.
A final confirmation list of all candidates to contest under NA will be released at the end of this month.