A motion of no-confidence brewing against PM Manele as members within GNUT coalition plan mass resignation
BY IRWIN ANGIKI
Government is on shaky grounds as a mass walkout is expected this week and a motion of no-confidence, it is reported.
Members of the two main partners in the grand coalition of the Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) have reportedly rallied together to remove Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele.
Sources within government told Island Sun yesterday that 25 in total are ready to resign from the GNUT coalition and team up with members from the opposition benches to form a new government.
PM Manele could not comment last night when sought for comment, telling Island Sun – “No comments at this time as situation still fluid”.
Government MPs speaking to Island Sun on condition of anonymity, say they do not have confidence in PM Manele’s leadership, describing it as ‘weak’.
“At the heart of the PM Manele’s weak leadership is his bowing down to the 3Ts in every cabinet and government decision. PM Manele does not make the decisions, he instead reverts to the 3Ts to make the decisions. And, we have had enough,” one of the government MPs said.
‘3T’ is the acronym within the government circle for three government MPs – Jimson Tanangada, MP for Gizo Kolombangara and minister for police and national security (MPNSCS), Bradley Tovosia, MP for East Guadalcanal and minister for fisheries (MFMR), and Namson Tran, MP for West Honiara and chairman of caucus.
Mr Tanangada in a desperate act on Friday last week messaged members of the OUR Party pleading for solidarity and urging them to be wary of the People First Party (PFP).
OUR and PFP are the main parties in the GNUT coalition. Other parties include Kandere and U4C.
Tanangada has not responded to questions sent him by Island Sun yesterday.
In his Whatsapp message, Tanangada accused PFP of being ‘deceitful’.
“Their [PFP] actions appear once again aimed at creating division within OUR Party in order to advance the narrow interests of a few individuals.
“I therefore humbly call upon each of you to open your eyes, remain alert, and recognise the calculated efforts being made to repeat the same old tactics designed to weaken our unity. Let us not fall into this trap,” Tanangada said.
Government MPs told Island Sun that PFP have contacted OUR Party members to remove PM Manele and form a new government under a new prime minister.
PFP party leader, Fredrick Kologeto has not responded to enquiries by Island Sun sent him yesterday. Mr Kologeto is MP for South Vella la Vella, and minister for communications and aviation, and deputy prime minister.
“PFP have been in talks with all the OUR Party members except PM Manele and the 4Ts [Tanangada, Tran, Tovosia and Tozen],” the government MPs told Island Sun.
Tozen Leokana is MP for South Choiseul and minister of education (MEHRD).
“As of today [Sundy, March 15] we have 25 in total from OUR and PFP who are ready to resign from the GNUT coalition and call for change in leadership. We have others from the opposition sides who will join us,” the government sources said.
Yesterday lunchtime, senior PFP MPs were seen in one of the Chinese restaurants in Henderson with Gordon Darcy Lilo and two other members from the opposition and independent benches.
A larger meeting was held later in the evening at the Paul Tovua Complex near the parliament house among members of PFP, opposition and independent.
Government sources told Island Sun, Mr Lilo is ‘being considered as one of the candidates for prime minister if the move goes through’.
Lilo, MP for Central Honiara, has not responded to attempts by this paper for his comments yesterday.
As for the notion of a possible special parliament session called for today, Clerk to Parliament Jefferson Hallu told Island Sun last night that there was none.
Meanwhile, this could be a replay of the first motion of no-confidence against PM Manele in December 2024, which was reportedly instigated by PFP and moved by MP Lilo.
PFP back-tracked in the last eleventh hour and Lilo was forced to withdraw the motion on December 16, 2024, on the floor of parliament.
PM Manele has survived two motions of no-confidence; in December 2024 and May 2025.
A third one was reportedly brewing in October 2025 but was abandoned.
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