The re-elected Member of Solomon Islands Parliament for Kia-Hograno-Havulei, Jeremiah Manele and the re-elected MP for Aoke-Langalanga, Matthew Wale have emerged as contenders for the nation’s top political job.
As of Tuesday, Manele’s camp has garnered the support of as many as 30 MPs in a new grouping known as the Coalition for National Unity and Transformation (CNUT), according insiders.
He was nominated by his protégé Manasseh Sogavare, Manasseh Maelanga and Kadere Party’s Parliamentary leader, Jamie Vokia.
The opposite camp, headed by Matthew Wale, is said to have the balance in the 50-member single Chamber Parliament.
Government House could not be contacted about who nominated Wale. Initially, it was Peter Kenilorea Jnr whose name was floated as the candidate for the opposite side.
An open vote was apparently taken, which Wale had won.
Manele and Wale have a number of things in common. According to their biodata, both men were born in 1968. They are highly educated.
The nation will have a public holiday on Thursday when Parliament votes a new Prime Minister. Many fear public repercussion, something former OUR Party Prime Minister Sogavare was mindful of when he decided to hand over the leadership to the Isabel MP.
Manele was nominated by Manasseh Sogavare, Manasseh Maelanga, Fredrick Kologeto and Jamie Vokia, while Wale was nominated by Peter Kenilorea Junior, Gordon Darcy Lilo, David Gina and Cathy Nori.
