THE Leader of the Solomon Islands Democratic Party (SIDP) and the Coalition for Accountability, Reform and Empowerment (CARE) Matthew Wale has been called on to apologize to the people of both Choiseul and Western provinces for his recent derogatory remarks.
The call was made by Chief of Samango Village in the Shortland Islands, Bernard Otuana in an interview with Solomon Star Gizo yesterday.
“The former Opposition Leader and Parliamentary Wing Leader of the Solomon Islands Democratic Party (SIDP) and CARE Coalition must apologise to the people Choiseul and Western Provinces for his recent derogatory remarks.
“During the CARE campaign trips to Marovo and Gizo, Wale made mockery comments by labelling some leaders of Choiseul and Western Provinces as Judas, Lucifer, Satan and Nguzunguzu and this sparked outrage amongst people of the two provinces.”
Chief Otuana added, “Failure to apologize would only be reflective of the of the type of leader Wale is – a leader that lacks respect for other leaders. If he does not apologize, then he is not a good leader.
He said other chiefs in Western Province and Choiseul Province support of his call for an apology from Wale because he has insulted the leaders of the two provinces and by insulting the leaders of the two provinces, he has insulted their people.
“All the talks he made during his campaign were nothing but defamatory remarks and it was disrespectful and shameful for a leader to degrade other leaders and their people.
“Real leaders serve their people, provide assistance and guide them for a better living.”
The sentiments expressed by Otuana highlighted the importance of mutual respect and integrity in leadership, urging Wale to take responsibility for his remarks and demonstrate accountability to the communities he seeks to represent.
During the CARE campaign launch in Auki, Malaita Province, Wale reportedly stated that if CARE formed the next government, development projects for Western and Choiseul Province would be put on the backburner and this fuelled criticisms.
The campaign launch was livestreamed on facebook.
Similar sentiments were echoed during CARE’s campaign in Gizo where Wale urged supporters not to vote for candidates aligned with OUR Party which further exacerbated tensions between political factions.
Despite criticisms over Wale’s defamatory remarks against leaders of Western and Choiseul Provinces, he never issued any public apologies.
Chief Otuana stressed the importance of leaders being united in leading the country and addressing its development needs.
Many voters of Marovo were also unhappy with the comments levelled against their MP-elect.
Wale was re-elected for another term in Parliament as MP for Aoke-Langalanga Constituency.
By ULUTAH GINA
Solomon Star, Gizo
