Pangu Pati Elder, Tony Ila, CMG has urged unity and solidarity within the party as it faces a likely Vote of No Confidence in Prime Minister James Marape.  Ila, a former Parliamentarian and State Minister, says he is confident the Pangu-led Coalition Government will survive the challenge and continue to serve its five-year term. The former four-term Lae MP said: “As the last surviving Pangu Elder, I want to see the current Pangu-led Coalition Government serve its full term of office.” “Pangu was mandated by our people to form government after the 2022 National General Elections and must continue to govern without hindrance by the Opposition.” He added that he was disheartened to note that Prime Minister James Marape was likely facing a Vote of No Confidence only 18 months after the elections. “A VoNC can only happen if the Government has performed badly or if the Opposition is hell-bent on changing government for no good reasons.” “I would like to think the latter is the reason, but something tells me otherwise.” Furthermore, he mentioned that he heard rumours of dissent among the Pangu MPs and speculation of a rift within the party. “As our Deputy Prime Minister Hon. John Rosso rightly stated, these rumours are being spread by Opposition factions to destabilize Pangu and the Government.” “I urge the Pangu leadership and caucus to maintain unity and solidarity in the face of this challenge.” “United we stand, divided we fall.” “Let me reiterate that Pangu is a national icon that belongs to Papua New Guinea.” “Unlike other political parties, Pangu does not belong to any individual leader.” “Hence, I urge all our members to serve the party loyally and diligently for the benefit of Pangu and PNG.” Meanwhile he urged all Pangu MPs and coalition members to give their undivided support to Marape to defeat this VoNC. “So that our mandated Government will continue to serve its full five-year term.” “God bless Pangu and PNG.”