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PRIME Minister James Marape yesterday threw down the gauntlet on his leadership position, inviting anyone, including his predecessor and political rival Peter O’Neill, to challenge him. “I welcome any challenge. This is not the first time Peter O’Neill has challenged me, and it may not be the last,” Marape said in a statement last night. He was responding to a motion of no confidence filed in Parliament yesterday by the Opposition against him. The motion named O’Neill as the alternative PM. Parliament’s private business committee, which deliberates on motions of no confidence, met yesterday. The committee decides whether a motion is in order to be tabled in the House. The committee’s decision yesterday is expected to be announced today in Parliament. Marape said he was willing to face any challenge from O’Neill, who he ousted in 2019 for the top post. “Since I left his government in April 2019, because I had no belief in his leadership, he has continued to pursue every possible political and legal means to unseat me,” he said. “But I remain focused on governing and serving our people. “It’s O’Neill versus Marape – the former (PM) versus the present (PM). PNC versus Pangu.” Marape said such motion was part of the democratic process and reflected the constitutional rights of Members of Parliament to choose their leaders freely and without coercion. “I will not call for a camp. I will not pressure anyone. If MPs feel that O’Neill is the better person to lead, then they should go and vote for him. That is democracy,” he said. “For those who believe in my leadership, my record, and my vision for a stronger, fairer Papua New Guinea, stand with me. “Either way, let us do what is right for our country and our people. “is time we mature as leaders. “Members of Parliament have the full freedom to make their choice without coercion, without fear, and without inducement. You decide – Peter or James. Exercise your God-given freedom of choice.” Marape said history had shown that frequent changes in Government between 1975 and 2002 contributed to the country’s slow growth and instability. He urged leaders to rise above narrow politics and place national interest first. “For far too long, governments changed every two years, and our economy suffered in those first 27 years of our nationhood,” Marape said. “We cannot keep going around in circles.” He also reminded Papua New Guineans that General Election 2027 is only 14 months away. “This motion is just a distraction,” Marape said. “Let us remain focused on the real opportunity ahead – General Election 2027. “When that time comes, exercise your God-given rights as a voter. “Vote purposely, vote wisely, and let us move Papua New Guinea forward together.” Meanwhile, speaking on the development, O’Neill said: “This matter has not been dealt with in Parliament and to undermine its process and protocols is not what I subscribe to, and therefore will reserve my comments until Parliament deals with the matter tomorrow. “We have politically compromised every institution in the country, at least we try and preserve one for the good of the people.”
