by Georgina Maka’a
Speaker of Parliament Patteson Oti has broken his silence on the deepening political stalemate, warning that the mass resignation of committee chairs has created a “serious impasse” that undermines the very foundation of the nation’s democracy.
In a pointed address, Oti declared that the deliberate abandonment of parliamentary duties is a betrayal of public trust.
“Parliament is the cornerstone of our democracy,” Oti stated.
“The deliberate suspension of parliamentary responsibilities undermines both the integrity of this House and the trust of our citizens.”
The crisis was triggered by the defection of 19 government MPs to the Opposition.
This was followed by the resignation of all parliamentary standing committee chairs and their members, led by former Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo, who chairs the all too important Public Accounts Committee.
By resigning from their committee posts, these MPs have effectively stalled the “engine room” of Parliament – the vital committees responsible for vetting bills and national budget estimates.
Lilo has remained defiant, stating his group “cannot take instructions from a minority government to process the business of Parliament.”
The shift in numbers left Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele’s GNUT government with just 22 MPs, while the Opposition had the majority of 28.
Despite the gridlock, Oti reminded Members that their duty to the state transcends political maneuvering.
“Regardless of economic hardship, social pressures, or political impasse, Parliament must continue to operate,” he said, adding that such duties are “not optional.”
However, the Speaker also clarified the limits of his authority under the current Constitution:
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Committee Vacancies: Pursuant to Standing Order 68(4), Oti will continue to offer chairpersonship and membership roles to any MP willing to serve.
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No Power to Recall: Oti admitted he lacks the legal power to unilaterally recall Parliament.
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Government Control: Under current rules, only the Prime Minister has the authority to officially summon Parliament to convene.
Prime Minister Manele has so far dismissed calls for an extraordinary sitting, despite a formal petition from the Opposition to the Governor-General.
Manele characterized the defections as a “normal democratic process” and insisted he would only call for a meeting “as and when it is appropriate.”
He maintains that political numbers must be formally tested on the floor of the House, rather than through public speculation or petitions.
As the deadlock continues to delay essential national business, Speaker Oti has issued a final plea for dialogue, urging MPs to rise above the impasse and “demonstrate leadership in times of challenge.”
