PTOA members showed strong unity this weekend ahead of tomorrow’s election day for Tonga’s next Prime Minister.
All Party members attended a retreat for the party at Liku’alofa resort in Hihifo except for the Minister of Justice, who had another commitment.
The Minister of Police, Mateni Tapueluelu, told Kaniva News last night they just needed time away from the public.
The retreat was also attended by the Party’s unsuccessful candidates, Katalina Tohi and Tomifa Paea.
Lobby
Kaniva News has asked Niua MP Vatau Hui about allegations that he joined the nobility in voting for a Prime Minister designate who was nominated by MP Samiu Vaipulu.
Hon. Hui laughed and said that even while he was at the Party retreat, which began on Friday, he was still being contacted by one of the nobility and some of their supporters who made him various promises and asked him to join them.
He said he told his constituents he was running as a candidate for the Party and he had to honour and respect the response from all the Niuans who voted him to Parliament because of the PTOA.
Godly intervention
Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva said he believed God has intervened and give him and his Party another four years to run the government.
He said their parliamentary term was supposed to end in November next year, but after the king dissolved Parliament because he was not satisfied with the government, the people made the opposite happen.
“They voted us back to the House,” he said.
Hon. Pohiva said he trusted his Party members would stand together and vote for him tomorrow (Monday, Nolvember 18) to become Tonga’s next Prime Minister.
As Kaniva News reported earlier this week, MPs will also elect the new Speaker of Parliament and their deputies.
The main points
- PTOA members showed strong unity this weekend ahead of tomorrow’s election day for Tonga’s next Prime Minister.
- All Party members attended a retreat for the party at Lifu’alofa resort in Hihifo except for the Minister of Justice, who had another commitment.
- The Minister of Police, Mateni Tapueluelu, told Kaniva News last night they just needed time away from the public.
For more information
Pōhiva calls Lord Tu‘ivakanō’s advice for king to dissolve House worthless
