THE Solomon Islands People’s Democratic Coalition (SIPDC) has accused the Honiara Hotel, now Heritage Park Hotel based DCC (Democratic Coalition for Change) of bribing former members of the People’s Alliance Party (PAP) to resign and join other parties within DCC.
A spokesperson for SIPDC accused former PAP MP’s, Willie Marau (Ulawa/Ugi), Freda Soria (Temotu Vatud) and Dudley Kopu (Temotu Pele) of receiving $500,000 each from lobbyist from the DCC to resign from PAP and team up with other parties that make up DCC.
This came following claims by PAP President Sir Nathaniel Waena that he was present at Honiara Hotel when Aoke/Langalanga MP, Mathew Wale offered $500,000 to PAP Parliamentary Wing Leader, Milner Tozaka to remain at Honiara Hotel and be part of DCC.
“The three MP’s were all paid $500,000 each that was why they resigned from PAP and joined the United Democratic Party (UDP) and the Kadere Party to form the DCC Coalition.
“This is corruption at its best.
“To make matters even worse, DCC’s candidate for Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare was also there when Mr Wale made the offer,” the spokesperson claimed.
When asked on the matter, sources from the DCC camp denied any offer’s of such made to the three MP’s and also denying such payment to the MP’s being made by anyone from their camp.
“The SIPDC are running short of ideas and are desperate to lure our MP’s to their camps, which is why they are using such baseless accusations.
“None of the MP’s at our camp were forced to stay or paid to stay. We all wanted change that is why we are sticking together,” an MP who wanted to remain anonymous said.
He added that over the weekend, several SIPDC MP’s had visited their camp, opting to join forces during the Prime Minister’s election on Tuesday.
“A good number of SIPDC members had came over to our camp over the weekend and have assured us that they would want to be part of the DCC government as well after next Tuesday’s Prime Minister’s Election,” he added.
Meanwhile the Prime Minister’s Election is set for Tuesday, 9 December 2014.
By JEREMY INIFIRI
