RECENTLY elected Renbel premier Johnston Timothy says he still has the majority to rule the province.
This is despite a letter from the Attorney General declaring that ousted premier, Lence Tango is legally the province’s Premier.
Speaking to this paper yesterday, Mr Timothy refused to go into a war of words with Mr Tango or the Attorney General, however declaring that despite the legal opinion from the government’s chief legal adviser, he still retains a majority of members in the Renbel Assembly.
Mr Timothy also revealed that he and his group of seven provincial members, including Kuschel T Puangongo (ward 10), George Tuhaika (ward 9), Brian Ngibutai (ward 8)John Teno (ward 5), Bernard Moa (ward 6), Luke Tuata (ward 4), William Kauga (ward 1), met yesterday and signed a petition for the Speaker of the Provincial Government to call up an urgent meeting to deal with the political impasse.
He also added that his group remains intact.
“We are in a democratic system and country which clearly states that the majority rules,” he said.
“I may not be legally viewed as the Premier of Renbel Province in the eyes of the Attorney General however I continue to have the majority support of the assembly,” he said.
Mr Timothy also denied reports that four of his supporters have shifted camp and are now backing Mr Tango to form the new Renbel provincial government.
“How can four of my colleagues desert me when we have just recently met, they have signed the MOU and have assured me that we are in this together.
“These reports are baseless and maybe only from my colleague Tango, which clearly shows a desperate man wanting to cling onto power despite not having any support at all,” he said.
Mr Timothy added that if Mr Tango does have the numbers as he claimed then he should provide those, and come with his ministers when the provincial assembly convenes.
“That is the only way he can prove that he still has the backing and the support from Renbel Provincial Assembly members,” Mr Timothy said.
By JEREMY INIFIRI
