LEADER of Opposition Jeremiah Manele had withdrawn a no confidence motion he had submitted to move against Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare in parliament.
Speaker of Parliament Ajilon Nasiu had announced in Parliament the withdrawal of the motion at the start of yesterday’s meeting.
The withdrawal was made shortly after a High Court ruling by Chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer, who ruled that members of parliament have a right to submit a motion to the Speaker of Parliament.
Sir Albert made the ruling following an application seeking judicial review on whether or not the no confidence motion submitted and accepted by the Speaker of Parliament was legal or illegal in light of certain provisions of the Political Parties Integrity Act.
Shortly after the High Court verdict, Parliament convened.
But when it did, it threw moments of eye bobbling and giggles among on lookers from the public gallery when some of the former government ministers who have left government igniting the political upheavals looked confused as to what side of the House they should be sitting.
Realising he was not welcomed in either side of the parliamentary floor, former Deputy Prime Minister, Douglas Ete shyly seated himself among the Opposition bench.
The packed gallery with heavy police was drawn into a sigh of relieve when the Speaker of Parliament, Ajilon Nasiu announced that under parliamentary standing order 31 he declared that the no confidence motion was officially withdrawn.
Prime Minister Sogavare then moved that Parliament be adjourned until 2 November 2015.
On the floor of the Chamber, Prime Minister Sogavare and Opposition leader, Jeremiah Manele met and embraced each other with a hand shake.
By AATAI JOHN
Leader of the Parliamentary Opposition group Jeremiah Manele has withdrawn the Motion of No Confidence he lodged last week, in an attempt to oust the Democratic Coalition for Change (DCC) government.
This was revealed by the Speaker of Parliament Ajilon Nasiu yesterday morning after the High Court’s judge, Chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer ruled in favour of the application to strike off the political parties’ judicial review case.
The Speaker of Parliament Ajilon Nasiu walked in to his chair and officially announced the withdrawal of the Motion of No Confidence.
“As such, according to standing order 31 of paragraph two the motion of No Confidence against the Prime Minister is withdrawn from the business paper accordingly,” Speaker to Parliament Ajilon Nasiu declared.
Stirring curiosity among the public, as police tighten up their security and imposing liquor ban in Honiara since Thursday, the round house at Vavaya ridge was surrounded by guides and well trained officers patrolling the compound.
The atmosphere within the chamber was tense with mix feelings, as supporters of both the government and the opposition group were presented, expecting anything to happen.
Members of Parliaments (MP) were crowding the chamber expecting a motion to be table, but it came to everyone’s surprise after the speaker announced that Manele has informed him through the clerk that he have decided to withdraw the motion.
Speaker finally told the house that parliament is adjourned for Monday, 2nd of November, 2015.
Solomon Star was informed earlier that the Opposition leader have decided to withdraw the motion of no confidence straight after 30 minutes of receiving the High Court ruling, which allows the motion to continue.
In spite of the court ruling, MP for Kia/Hograno/Havulei Jeremiah Manele resort to withdraw the motion against the PM Manasseh Sogavare.
End of the session yesterday shows the opposition leader and his deputy Rick Hou approached the PM to greet him with smile and a handshake, followed by cabinet ministers.
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