Bosawai Defends Agovaka Nomination, Says Promise Had To Be Honoured

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Former Minister for Health and Medical Services and MP for North Guadalcanal Paul Popora Bosawai has defended his decision to nominate Peter Shanel Agovaka for the post of Prime Minister, saying he acted to honour a promise made by the People First Party (PFP) leadership.

Bosawai said he was aware that his decision had drawn heavy criticism from the public, with many people attacking him personally over the move.

“I know my name has been tarnished and the public called me names I could not even imagine,” Bosawai said.

However, he said his actions were guided by principle and commitment rather than political convenience.

“I made my decision based on the principle of not making false promises to another leader,” he said.

According to Bosawai, Agovaka was originally the preferred prime ministerial candidate for PFP before political dynamics within the opposition camp shifted in favour of Opposition Leader Matthew Wale.

Bosawai claimed that Wale and his supporters left the camp before the Motion of No Confidence because they were not supportive of Agovaka becoming prime minister.

He explained that despite the political changes, he felt obligated to fulfil the original commitment made to Agovaka on behalf of PFP.

“I nominated Peter Shanel to keep that promise as one of the PFP leaders,” Bosawai stated.

He said the issue became more complicated after the Motion of No Confidence, with coalition discussions and political negotiations changing rapidly.

Bosawai revealed that on Sunday morning, Agovaka visited his home and asked him to fulfil the promise by nominating him for the top post.

“I told him I was sorry we could not keep our promise because of the political shift, but I would nominate him to fulfil that promise,” Bosawai said.

He added that he also promised to vote for Agovaka because, in his view, failing to honour such a commitment would go against Guadalcanal customs and traditions.

Bosawai explained that in Guadalcanal culture, particularly within the Ghaobata society where he belongs, there are “big lines” and “small lines,” and the smaller lines are expected to respect and submit to the bigger lines.

He said approaching Agovaka earlier to become the coalition’s prime ministerial candidate was already a significant cultural commitment for him and his party.

“When the coalition later decided otherwise because of political convenience, it became a conflict between my commitment to him on behalf of PFP and the wishes of a minority group within the coalition,” he explained.

Bosawai said he did not influence other PFP members and made his own decision based on conscience and cultural obligations.

He also indicated that after the formation of the new government, he would sit with the independent group rather than join any political camp.

“I am not a politician,” Bosawai said.

He added that his speech in Parliament would further explain his position, including his belief that “this country needs leaders, not politicians.”