Former Deputy Opposition Leader James Nomare has filed an application in the Supreme Court under Section 18 of the Constitution asking the High Court to recognize the majority decision of the Opposition Caucus and declare him as Leader of the Opposition.
Mr Nomane said he expected the matter to be resolved in September.
“I take note of the smug comments made by the Hon Douglas Tomuriesa, a 3-term MP, after the National Court dismissed my case for a lack of jurisdiction on Thursday 21st August 2025,” the Chuave MP said in a statement.
“Mr Tomuriesa should refrain from trying to patronize, denigrate, or mock me. My performance as a first-term MP is exceptional, and the good 3-term MP knows from his own record that he does not hold a candle to me. I once again invite Mr Tomuriesa to stop the charade, stop weakening the Opposition with word salads and spats, and join the government.
“Recently, the Prime Minister made an unbelievable admission that he had failed the people of Papua New Guinea, effectively taking the country backwards into a dire regressive state after. This means the call for accountability on government spending to achieve equity, employment, economic growth, and prosperity for the people, is louder than ever.
“The Prime Minister further challenged God to remove him if he was deemed the “stumbling block” for the nation. This arrogance by the Member for Tari-Pori is unreal! Already we are seeing our democratic norms eroded, damage to public institutions, and the glaring disparity between the haves and have nots. “Our youth are disenfranchised, our people are alienated, and Hon. Marape believes he is the only person capable of being Prime Minister.
“Only with a formidable Leader of the Opposition can the Prime Minister be put to task, denounced for failed policies and programs, and ultimately, deposed through a successful Vote of No Confidence.
“In this 11th Parliament, there is a total compromise between the executive and legislature. The role of the Opposition has been diluted because of collusion, conspiracy, and cover-ups. “My fight is to enforce accountability and restore public confidence without fear or favour – period. On behalf of the people of Chuave, who have missed out on budgeted funds because of the nefarious practice of selective warranting by the Marape government, the fight for fair distribution continues. “This is the primary impetus for my advocacy and litigation in Court,” Mr Nomane concluded.