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| L-R: O'Neill, Parkop, Kua, Namah [Google Images] |
In light of the recent developments (referral of Prime
Minister Peter O’Neill to the Leadership
Tribunal and pending arrest warrant for criminal charges), there may have been
internal forces emerging, mounting and drumming up for who should take over the
leadership into the 2017 election or until PO is cleared.
The most probable event will be that the PM
will not step aside, unless asked to, as documented in his press release. But, his latest
referral and pending criminal charges may have already created frictions within
his regime resulting in breakdown in the Coalition Partners.
Signs of disagreements
were evident when Mr O'Neill sacked Sinesine-Yongomugl MP Kerenga Kua and Kandep MP Don
Polye, two senior members of his cabinet. Other senior members are also not at
ease, yet too afraid to speak up unless opportunity presents itself. Hence, a change
of leadership within PNC party or coalition partners is inevitable.
Either way, the government MPs (including those of the
ruling PNC party), the middle bench and opposition may have to think
strategically if the unexpected happens. They must think about the best way
forward if (and when) Peter O’Neill is forced to step aside.
If he is pressurised from within his government or from the
masses or by a Leadership Tribunal, most likely he would relinquish the prime
ministership to another PNC member. Government MPs who can act sensibly and
responsibly can regroup to change the leadership. In the best interest of the
nation, a change must be without destabilising economic, political, social or
any development. What is important here is stability and good governance.
The opinion widely held by the public is that there is no
one credible person/MP in the ruling PNC party to take over the prime
ministership.
The 'would be'
candidates may include:
1. Leon Dion – was made a deputy PM under the circumstances
and not someone vibrant enough and decisive to lead.
2. Nick Kuman - who is rather soft and out-dated (not
vibrant and dynamic),
3. Richard Maru - may be an enterprising state minister but
may not master the parliamentary support for leadership.
4. Other PNC members including Marape, Zeming, Pato, etc are
all rudimentary and not so prominent and promising candidates for PM.
Other coalition partners:
1. Ben Micah - has the popularity but diluted and disgraced
himself on many fronts and further, he is a PPP man,
2. Bire Kimisopa - his leadership is diminished when he has
been numb and dumb on issues of national concern and corruptions. He is lately
trying to create media attention but he is already written off in the minds of
the people,
3. Don Polye - his
party has been fragmented and destroyed. To regroup and re-gather has to be a
move from not only his party but has to be supported by majority of the ruling
PNC party which is highly unlikely,
4. Patrick Pruhaitch – his integrity is already tarnished,
not a decisive leader.
5. Kerenga Kua – though he is not a party leader, he briefly
displayed maturity and confidence. Thereafter he has disappeared from the
scene. He is credible but needed to do more to earn the parliamentary support,
6. Former PMs are all
back sitters
7. Powes Parkop - he is enterprising, innovative and serving
backed by his vision. PP only problem is his close alignment with PO which he
got mud over his face. Secondly, PP’s party in the government is minority. He
really needed to persuade the ruling PNC party to back him if he ever needed to
become the PM.
Opposition Members
Belden Namah, Sam Basil and Allen Marat are credible and prominent, principle-driven
and unwavering. The Opposition Leader is no nonsense, firm, bold and is still a
credible material for prime ministership. The only problem here is no
government MPs would want to join the opposition.
Potential prime-ministerial candidates
to take over from Mr O’Neill are Powes Parkop, Belden Namah, and Kerenga Kua.
Within the coalition political parties NCDC Governor Powes Parkop remains to be a better candidate for prime minister leading to 2017.
- Guest Article, Adapted -
