This came amidst reports that said Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo appears to be in trouble as some of his ministers and backbenchers reportedly resigned from his National Coalition for Rural Advancement (NCRA) government.
George Atkins a freelance journalist in a report he issued yesterday said up until Saturday a group of MPs that has been formed to rally the support the efforts to topple Mr Lilo has claimed five ministers and five backbenchers have either resigned or are considering doing so.
The group which has been camping at Heritage Park Hotel since Thursday would not reveal their identities, his report said.
“But they say the resignation letters were to have been signed late yesterday, although it is still not known whether or not Government House has already received them,” Mr Atkins said in the report.
But an insider from the Prime Ministers Office disputed the report about the ministers and backbenchers moving out as not true.
“This report is fabricated and a propaganda instigated by the Opposition Group to tarnish the government.
“The report is not true because the government remains strong with its members,” the insider said.
Prime Minister Lilo who returned from Brisbane yesterday said upon arrival that his government remains intact and the political situation remains good.
On Friday, PM Lilo described the planned motion as a waste of time as it will not attract the necessary support it will need to be successful.
The Opposition Leader’s Office and that of the National Parliament have both confirmed Opposition Leader, Dr Derek Sikua has resubmitted his withdrawn motion of no confidence against Prime Minister Lilo.
No date has yet been set but as Friday is a private members’ day, it may likely be moved then.
Dr Sikua withdrew the motion before Parliament went into adjournment in September citing the recent three-day royal visit and the passing of the 2012 Supplementary Appropriation Bill.
The Parliament which reconvenes today after the short recess has only 49 Members as the Gela seat is still vacant following the recent jailing of its MP, Mark Kemakeza for conversion of public funds.
Meanwhile, Mr Atkins said in his report the Heritage Park Hotel group appears to be more committed and consolidated with the efforts to topple Mr Lilo than previously.
It consists of the Opposition and the Independent (17), Ministers (5) and Backbenchers (5), it added.
“But political observers believe the challenge against Mr Lilo will be tough as he has the backing group and Deputy Prime Minister and East Malaita MP Manasseh Maelanga who also has a group in Parliament.
“However, it is believed the reconciliation between the MP for Aoke-Langalanga, Mathew Wale and the former North Malaita MP, Jimmy Lusibaea on Friday could be a bonus to the Heritage Park Hotel Group.
“Since news of the planned reconciliation was made known to MPs, five Malaita Members of Parliament are reported to have already decided to join forces with the Heritage Park Hotel Group.
“Three of them appeared in the Solomon Star photograph of Opposition and Independence MPs who witnessed the reconciliation between Mr Wale and Mr Lusibaea (Saturday Issue No 4994).
“In the previous efforts to topple Mr Lilo, the Opposition Camp waited until past midnight before Ministers and backbenchers arrived to utter their support,” Mr Atkins’ report said.
The report also claimed three former Prime Ministers are behind Dr Sikua’s move to topple Prime Minister Lilo.
Meanwhile PM Lilo will travel to Kira Kira, the Makira-Ulawa Provincial capital today to open the Premiers’ Conference.
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