Tongan Finance Minister Dr Aisake Eke said today he was shocked by Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva’s claims that he had been sack because they had disagreements.
In a letter to Hon. Pohiva, Hon. Eke said this amounted to saying that he was causing problems with the Prime Minister’s leadership.
“I take it that you are just making it up to find strong excuses for demanding my resignation,” Dr. Eke said.
The minister said when he and the Prime Minister met on February 28, Hon. Pohiva told him their work relationship was fine and there was no problem even though he abstained from last week’s vote of no confidence.
The Prime Minister demanded Dr Eke’s resignation in a letter delivered to him during a Sunday service at the Free Wesleyan Church.
In the letter Hon. Pohiva cited Dr Eke’s abstention from the vote of no confidence and disagreements on issues of national interest.
Dr. Eke said he abstained from voting because he believed some of the accusations in the motion of no confidence were true and some were false.
He said the accusations about the Prime Minister’s behaviour over outgoing Minister ‘Etuate Lavulavu and Pacific Sports CEO Lord Sevele were true.
The court quashed his dismissal of Lord Sevele.
“I advised you to just use the Pacific Council Sports power given to the Audit and Good Governance Committee to monitor Sevele and his committee and that this would help us avoid taking any illegal action against him,” Dr. Eke said.
“Members of Parliament have a right to vote against or for whatever he or she thinks is the best for the nation and the people as a whole.
“This is why I chose to abstain. However, I knew for sure the majority would vote for you and that you would win.”
Dr. Eke said the Prime Minister had the right to dismiss members of his cabinet and he had no choice but to resign.
“We have been in politics since 2011 and I have come to know things about you that I did not know before,” he said in his letter to Hon. Pohiva.
“I would like to thank you very much for the opportunity you have given me to serve the nation.
“I apologise to you if my performance did not meet your expectation.
“I wish you good luck and may God give you wisdom and blessing so that you continue to lead our nation throughout the last two years of your parliamentary terms.”
The main points
- Tongan Finance Minister Dr Aisake Eke said today he was shocked by Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva’s claims that he had been sacked because they had disagreements.
- In a letter to Hon. Pohiva, Dr. Eke said this amounted to saying that he was causing problems with the Prime Minister’s leadership.
- “I take it that you are just making it up to find stronger excuses for demanding my resignation,” Dr. Eke said.
- Dr Eke said the Prime Minister had the right to dismiss members of his cabinet and he had no choice but to resign.
For more information
Minister’s future in doubt as PM considers replacement in wake of no confidence vote
