by Ronald Toito’ona

Former Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and minister for Mines, Bradley Tovosia has revealed that former Finance Minister, Manasseh Sogavare was not a happy man since the formation of the government in May 2024.

Speaking to the local media in a press conference yesterday, Tovosia said the internal discontent by Mr Sogavare existed from the start because he wanted to become the Prime Minister.

“He used the word ‘hijacked’ from day one,” Tovosia said.

 “I was one of the people who helped form GNUT. But I could see from his face all along—he wasn’t a happy man. 

“I served under him for eight years and remained loyal to him. I had a lot of respect for him. But when he left, I said okay—we’ll have to run GNUT ourselves.”

Tovosia added, Sogavare was not chosen to return as Prime Minister, because it was a decision made by coalition leaders during the government’s formation.

“He always wanted to be Prime Minister again. But when the new leaders (People’s First Party) came in, they decided he wouldn’t be PM. 

“OUR Party didn’t have the numbers to give him the role. That’s why we chose Manele instead,” Tovosia explained.

He further reflected on their long working relationship, when he was the Mines minister and Sogavare was PM..

 “Sogavare was a very happy man during his time as Prime Minister. He never wanted to remove me. 

“He once said, ‘Keep that man at the Ministry of Mines.’ For eight years, I served there.”

Tovosia said he will leave it to the public to read between the lines to find out what Mr Sogavare truly meant by the statement.