Wenge’s popularity slowly fades among his people

By LEONNIE WAYANG-SEVUA
OUTGOING Morobe governor Luther Wenge’s coordinator from Kabwum has jumped ship and will now support governor-elect Kelly Naru.
Nethysh Ayangbiang announced his change of allegiance as more and more people speak in the media in protest against Wenge’s move to challenge Naru’s election win.
Ayangbiang, a youth leader in the Deyamos local level government in Kabwum district, said for the past 15 years he had been a supporter of Wenge but had seen many promises and commitments not upheld.
He said in addition to unemployment issues, Wenge’s promise to build a road linking Kabwum and Nawaeb to Lae never eventuated and he did not intervene during the November crisis in Lae.
 “On behalf of the people of Kabwum, we want Wenge to just accept the defeat and work alongside the new governor-elect to create changes for the province,” he said.
“He should just shut up and let Naru take over because he didn’t do anything for us, so we are now looking forward to working with Naru.”
He said one of the issues that might have contributed to the loss of confidence in Wenge was the ethnic unrest that occurred in November last year when Morobeans and highlanders fought over the increasing lawlessness in Lae.
On Monday, Wenge told a press conference he was still the leader of the province and he would pursue the election win of Naru “in the highest court”.
As a result of his outburst, people from all over Morobe have called for him to let Naru take office.
A small business owner from the Buang LLG, in Bulolo district, who did not want to be named, said Wenge had done nothing in the economic sector where small businesses were struggling to thrive.
“Small businesses have tried to become successful during Wenge’s three terms in parliament. What has the former governor done for us?” the Buang local questioned.
“Let Naru take over so at least he can do something for us in the economic sector.”
Morobe Independent Peace Committee chairman Sam Oyaya said during the November crisis, Wenge and other leaders had not gone down to the people’s level to address the issue, instead declaring Lae a “fighting zone”.
“Only the Bulolo and Kabwum MPs, Sam Basil and Bob Dadae, stood with us to address the issue so now we, the people, have made our decision to elect Naru, who can step in to resolve the problem and restore peace and goodwill between highlanders and Morobeans,” Oyaya said.