Manele and Wale vying for PM
Following the intense lobbying by two different coalitions in the past few days Jeremiah Manele and Mathew Wale have been nominated as their candidates for Prime Minister ahead of Thursday’s election of the country’s new Prime Minister.
The Government House has received the nomination of the two candidates on Monday and Tuesday respectively before the closure of nominations.
Mr Manele is the candidate for the Government for National Unity and Transformation consisting of OUR Party, Solomon Islands People’s First Party and Kadere Party while Mr Wale is the candidate for the Coalition of CARE, the Solomon Islands United Party (SIUP) and Solomon Islands Party for Rural Advancement (SIPRA).
Mr Manele was nominated by Manasseh Sogavare, Manasseh Maelanga, Frederick Kologeto and Jamie Vokia while Mr Wale was nominated by Peter Kenilorea Jr, Cathy Nori, Gordon Darcy Lilo, and David Gina.
Manele on Monday told the local media that he is well aware of the challenges that lie ahead of him.
He said he is able to carry on the responsibilities in leading the nation forward.
“As a member for Hograno Katova Havulei constituency Isabel province, I have accepted the nomination by the Government for National Unity and Transformation as the coalition leader and candidate for Prime Minister in the 12th Parliament.”
In a statement today, Mr Matthew Wale expressed gratitude to his colleagues for their trust and appealed for broader support.
He said the people of Solomon Islands have voted overwhelmingly for change from DCGA and OUR party and he therefore urged all newly elected independents, who were voted in on a mandate for change, to join the CARE Coalition.
“The choice is stark. It’s life or death for the sick, education or ignorance for our children, jobs, or unemployment for our youths, low or high living costs for our Nation,” Wale stressed.
Manele is the Member of Parliament for Hograno Katova Havulei constituency in Isabel province while Wale is the Member of Parliament for Aoke/Langalanga in Malaita province.
The election of a new Prime Minister is set for Thursday 2nd May 2024.
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