The Coalition for Accountability, Reform and Empowerment (CARE), Solomon Islands United Party (SIUP) and Solomon Islands Party for Rural Advancement(SIPRA) has officially nominated former Opposition leader Matthew Cooper Wale as their candidate for Prime Minister.
This decisive move counters widespread rumours of internal divisions.
Matthew Wale was nominated by SIUP’s Peter Kenilorea Jr and Cathy Nori, SIPRA’s Gordon Darcy Lilo, and CARE’s David Gina.
Former Prime Minister Rick Hou commented on the choice. “This isn’t a power grab,” Hou explained. “We chose Matthew Wale as the best solution for the challenges Solomon Islands faces.”
The nation struggles with economic woes, healthcare failures, and soaring unemployment.
Solomon Islands United Party (UP) leader Peter Kenilorea, the MP elect for East Are Are Constituency, was one of the nominators for Wale.
“I believe Wale can be a great PM for Solomon Islands. I throw my full support behind his candidature for PM”.
Kenilorea further added, “the country had spoken loud and clear about the need for change by voting 25 new MPs into Parliament, a show of the great hunger for change”.
The UP wing leader stated that it is now clear that the wish of the people and their expectation is also for a change of government and leadership.
“The We CARE-UP-SIPRA Coalition is the alliance that offers this change that the nation is yearning for,” he said.
“This desire for change in our country is very clear and that is what this Group stands for,” he said.
Kenilorea also called on the public to stay calm and allow the process of PM elections to progress peacefully on Thursday.
“I call on all our people to respect the process and each other as we, your elected representatives, elect the new Prime Minister of our beloved country,” said Kenilorea.
Stephen Kumi, newly elected MP for Temotu Nende, stressed the critical need for change. “The country demands a new direction. It’s time to end business as usual,” Kumi insisted.
Matthew Wale expressed gratitude to his colleagues for their trust and appealed for broader support.
“The people of Solomon Islands have voted overwhelmingly for change from DCGA & OUR party. I therefore urge all newly elected independents, who were voted in on a mandate for change, to join us. This is the people’s clear wish,” Wale asserted.
“The choice is stark. It’s life or death for the sick, education or ignorance for our children, jobs or unemployment for our youths, low or high living costs for our Nation,” Wale continued.
As the PM election approaches, the Coalition reaffirms its commitment to champion the change mandated by the voters, urging Representatives to heed the call for change being demanded by the electorate.
At the closure of nominations at 4pm Tuesday two are the nominated candidates for the Solomon Islands Prime Ministers position to be elected on Thursday.
OUR Party Coalition: Jeremiah Manele.
CARE Coalition: Mathew Cooper. Wale.
Manele is nominated by former Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, Manasseh Maelanga, Fredrick Kologeto and Jaimie Lency Vokia.
Wale is nominated by Peter Kenilorea, Gordon Darcy Lilo, Davida Gina and Cathy Nori.
The election of the prime minister will be held at 9.30am local time on Thursday.
It will be presided over by the Governor-General Sir David Vunagi and conducted by secret ballot.