Wenge urged to accept defeat

Main Stories, National
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The National, Wednesday July 1st, 2012

By GABRIEL LAHOC
HAVING lost the battle to retain the Morobe regional seat, outgoing governor Luther Wenge should show true leadership by accepting defeat graciously and working with governor-elect Kelly Naru, some provincial leaders and people say.
The majority in a random survey as well as a number of telephone calls to The National’s office indicated that Wenge should step down with dignity like long-serving MPs Arthur Somare, Timothy Bonga and Bart Philemon.
They said that despite 15 years in power, Wenge had no huge developments in the province to boast about.
The calls followed Wenge’s outburst on Monday where he addressed the media in front of a crowd of supporters, claiming he was still governor of Morobe and was ready to become prime minister.
He vowed to challenge fellow lawyer Naru’s election win in court and called for other losing candidates to help provide evidence that the elections were rigged.
Ahi mobilisation chairman John Ngandang, speaking on behalf of the six Ahi villages, said Wenge’s word showed he was hungry for power.
“That is not how real Morobe leaders act.
“Naru is a Morobean by blood and who has contributed to the churches for a long time before he thought of going into politics and he has the right to lead the province as he has the mandate of the people, and you, Wenge, can judge him in the next five years,” Ngandang said.
Luke John, who called from the autonomous region of Bougainville, and Chris Gaia of the Morobe Independent Justice Association, said Wenge had three terms in power but failed, especially in the controversial land deals in Lae .
They called on Naru to reclaim prime land areas in the city.
“True leaders accept defeat and Wenge should follow Bart Philemon, Timothy Bonga and Arthur Somare and not cry over spilt milk,” Mathew Yonguru, a community leader from the Salamanda area, said.
“Wenge should not treat Morobeans like fools.
“How can he become prime minister when his People’s First Party doesn’t have any elected members?”
The few who supported Wenge said they did not know how well Naru would fare as a politician, especially in fighting for the rights of the people as Wenge did in his four court victories against the state.
Attempts to get comments from Naru were unsuccessful.