The People of the Nakanai District of West New Britain (WNB) province have been urged to unite and work together with the Member and Minister for Oil Palm, Francis Galia Maneke, to develop the new District.
Former Talasea Member Francis Marus who had challenged Mr. Maneke’s win in Court said he respects the Court’s decision which has dismissed his election petition.
“The right forum to settle election disputes is through the courts not by any other means. I took the matter to court but Court has found that my case lacks substance for the court to progress further and the Court has made a decision to dismiss my case today,” said Mr. Marus.
Addressing supporters from both sides, he said the election petition case has ended and he will not pursue the matter in the Supreme Court.
“I have the right to take it up to Supreme Court within 14 days but I will not. I will allow my brother to do his job and serve us,” he said.
Mr. Marus said WNB and the New Guinea Islands (NGI) region must remain peaceful and anybody who takes the law into their own hands will be dealt with by the law.
Meanwhile, in welcoming the Court’s decision Mr. Maneke thanked Mr. Marus for his stance and appealed to supports from both teams and everyone in Nakanai to work together to develop the District.
“Our agenda is clear, we have a new District, we are all responsible for our new district and we need to settle down and work in our respective communities,” said Mr. Maneke.
The Minister appealed to the people of Nakanai District to stand together and develop the new district to be a model district in the country.