Central Honiara MP Gordon Darcy Lilo has withdrawn his motion of no confidence against Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele after Speaker Patteson Oti ruled the motion could not be deferred.
The motion, initially scheduled for debate on Monday, 16 December was widely expected to fail, with the Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) declaring it “rock solid” and fully united behind Manele.
“This government stands united behind the Prime Minister,” a GNUT spokesperson said. “We are committed to stability and continuity in leadership.”
In the lead-up to the scheduled debate, GNUT lawmakers held strategic meetings and reaffirmed their commitment to Manele’s leadership and the coalition’s agenda.
Political analysts noted GNUT’s strong majority in Parliament as a key factor in neutralising the motion, which they described as an “unnecessary distraction.”
With Lilo’s withdrawal, the GNUT coalition has avoided a divisive parliamentary showdown, solidifying its position as the dominant political force in the Solomon Islands.
