THE recently suspended Southern Highlands Governor William Powi in an emergency press conference at Airways Hotel announced his reinstatement following a successful leave application granted by the Supreme Court yesterday.
In a packed conference room with devout supporters and Provincial Executive Council (PEC) members, Powi addressed the people of Southern Highlands on the state of his position as Governor following his suspension that resulted from the petition filed against him on August 24, exactly a week ago.
“The decision by the Court of Disputed Returns to suspend me whilst the results of the court ordered recount for the Southern Highlands regional seat is still pending. It is among the critical issues that aggrieved me, and so I have taken the approach to appeal as a matter of urgent application to the Supreme Court today.”
“I am happy to announce to the Southern Highlands Provincial Executive Council members, in the presence of my lawyer and to the people of Southern Highlands, the Supreme Court has granted my leave application, in the dispensation of justice, and has granted stay of all the orders of the National Court so it brings me relief to say that I’ve been reinstated.”
Powi’s lawyer Alan Baniyamai elaborated that among the orders made in the initial petition, the National Court made the decision for an order to recount votes, to nullify Powi’s election and to suspend the Governor from assuming his responsibilities and powers/functions as of 12pm yesterday.
Banyamai said the orders are now on hold and the successful Application for Review has allowed for the matter to proceed further to the Supreme Court and for a full bench to address the 17 grounds put forth in the application.
“The court heard the leave application, agreed that there is some merit to it, and also heard and determined a stay application which we also filed – a stay order is necessary to maintain the status quo and allow normalcy to return while the proceedings are yet to be heard and determined by the full bench.”
With the matter now put before the Supreme Court and Powi remaining in power, the respective PEC members that were present shared their grievances and solidarity in ensuring the people of Southern Highlands remain steadfast in their provincial government.
President of Lower Mendi and Provincial Chairman for Health, James Ambia stressed that Southern Highlanders must allow for normal services to run and for Mendi Town to remain functional.
Other PEC members spoke in agreement that above all, security and peace has returned for the provincial government following a period of anxiety and instability in the past week.
