Prime Minister (PM) Jeremiah Manele has survived a second motion of no confidence against his leadership.
The motion, which followed a previous attempt in December last year, was withdrawn on Tuesday in Parliament by its mover, Member of Parliament (MP) for Central Honiara, Gordon Darcy Lilo, due to a lack of support.
The second motion came at a politically volatile time for the Manele-led Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT), after five ministers and five backbenchers resigned and defected to the Opposition last Tuesday—briefly reducing the government to a minority.
Despite the Opposition claiming the numerical advantage with 26 out of the 49 Members of Parliament, they were unable to force the Prime Minister’s resignation that day.
One seat remains vacant following the recent passing of West Guadalcanal MP, the late Moses Garu.
Refusing to resign, Prime Minister Manele instead adjourned Parliament to Tuesday to allow for debate on the motion. That move proved strategic.
Cracks began to appear in the Opposition ranks on Friday, when North Malaita MP Daniel Suilea Waneoroa crossed the floor and was appointed Minister for Rural Development.
This was followed by Central Kwara’ae MP Ricky Fuo and West Makira MP Derrick Manuari, who defected to the government on Saturday and were awarded the portfolios of Infrastructure Development and Mines, Energy, and Rural Electrification respectively.
By Monday, Manele’s government had regained a majority with 28 members, effectively deflating the momentum behind the motion.
Consequently, MP for Central Honiara, Gordon Darcy Lilo wrote to Clerk and formally withdrew the motion from the Order Paper.
“We have to do the right thing—maturity must prevail. We made this decision so that the city, and the country as a whole, can return to normalcy,” Lilo stated.
“I withdrew the motion to give Members of Parliament time to reflect. There was no need to create further tension.
“It’s important we allow space for calm and stability to return.”
Following the withdrawal, Prime Minister Manele thanked the mover for withdrawing the motion and nation.
“That shows leadership and maturity,” he said.
PM said the government would use the time to allow newly appointed ministers to settle into their roles.
Parliament is expected to resume on Monday with the debate on the Speech from the Throne.
He also called on all Solomon Islanders to work together.
“Developing and building the Solomon Islands requires the collective effort of all,” Manele said.
The Solomon Star understands that the ministers and backbenchers who resigned are now planning to take over leadership of the Independent Group.
By Eddie Osifelo
Solomon Star, Honiara
