Sogavare: I never fight to be PM

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Former Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has responded sharply to journalists yesterday on the question whether he defected to the Opposition wanting to the Prime Minister, stating he never in his life time fight to be the PM but it was offered to him.

Sogavare and his former DPM Manesseh Maelanga in the DCGA (from 2019-2024) that current PM Jeremiah Manele took over from under GNUT last year – faced the media yesterday detailing the reasons why they deserted the government this week.

When asked if had shifted to the Opposition side of the house, wanting to the Prime Minister? Sogavare responded sharply saying: “ That’s a very, very narrow view. That’s what people are thinking. I never, never in my life fight to be prime minister. It was offered to me.”

He continued: “We came here and the new coalition will decide on that one. We will leave that to the new group to decide on it.”

Sogavare is a four-time Prime Minister, a record he currently holds in the country’s pollical history in the post-independence era.

He was also the only second Prime Minister to complete a full four-year term in office besides Sir Allan Kemakeza.

However, he stayed in office for a few more months of his last term than Kemakeza after parliament amend the constitution to allow his government to host the 2023 Pacific Games as the chief reason.

Sogavare told journalists that the current political development was allowed to reach the current state because of indecisiveness and weak leadership.

“It should not have reached this stage if the prime minister had acted decisely and in the national interest,” said Sogavare.