New coalition group says numbers unaffected: swearing in’s just reshuffling & recycling

The new grouping consisting of the defected government MPs and the Opposition and Independent says the recent swearing in doesn’t change the numbers.

In a statement today, the group said their number still stands at 28.

The statement said the recent swearing in’s were done within the government itself and not from the group.

“ Our group is intact and our number stands at 28. They are simply reshuffling and recycling within their own camp,” the statement said.

The group clarified that independent MP Hon Manasseh Sogavare who was sworn in as Deputy Prime Minister today was never counted in the 28.

In the statement, it said with the resignation of 12 ministers, half of Cabinet has resigned meaning Cabinet is no longer functioning and that there is serious lack of confidence in the leadership.

The statement adds that fact is that the current GNUT is currently running a minority government.

“The public would have thought that the recent swearing in would have changed the number game but that is not the case. The fact is they are running a minority government and swearing in MPs from their own camp,” it said.

The statement said the group expects some more defections in the coming days.

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Opposition statement