East Central Guadalcanal MP Joseph Onika, who is now Minister for Women, Youth and Sports, handed his resignation recently.
OUR Party interim president Manasseh Sogavare confirmed this to the Solomon Star yesterday.
Mr Onika is one of three OUR Party members who refused to follow their leader Mr Sogavare when he moved from the Danny Philip camp to the Steve Abana camp on the eve of the prime minister’s election last Wednesday.
The other two are East Guadalcanal MP Bradley Tovosia and Central Guadalcanal MP Peter Shanel.
Mr Tovosia and Mr Shanel are yet to hand in their resignation letters.
Although they decided to go their way, Mr Sogavare said OUR Party has not terminated their membership as some reports suggest.
“But they cannot call themselves OUR Party members now but independents in the government,” Mr Sogavare said.
He also questioned Mr Onika’s decision and whether it was taken in the best interest of his constituency, which has 2000 members in OUR Party.
Meanwhile, Mr Sogavare said trustees of OUR Party have agreed to align the party and its principles with the Opposition
"A letter carrying this decision has been forwarded to the Prime Minister and the remaining members of the party," he said.
He said the stand is taken in the best interest of the party, as its policy wants to advance good governance and fight against corruption.
Earlier, the two-time Prime Minister and Opposition leader said his move to desert the Danny Philip prior to the formation of Government was a 'principle position'.
By EDDIE OSIFELO
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