GROUNDBREAKING IN NAURU POLITICS

After a long political saga in Nauru Politics, some groundbreaking move finally took place yesterday where the Speaker of Parliament the Hon. Godfrey Thoma has been able to convene a quorum in parliament to officially announce the beginning of the seven days count down for the dissolution of the 20th Parliament.

Members attending parliament includes: the Acting President the Hon. Roland Kun, Hon. Ludwig Scotty, Hon. Mathew Batsiua, Hon. Landon Deireragea, Hon. David Adeang, Hon. Valdon Dowiyogo, Hon. Kieren Keke, Hon. Dominic Tabuna and Hon. Frederick Pitcher. The meeting was convened in the absence of His Excellency President Sprent Dabwido and the Honourable Minister for Transport Riddell Akua. Both Cabinet members are overseas on official Government business.

The Speaker first opened up the meeting with a word of prayer and then immediately proceeds on with the tabling of the President’s dissolution advice in accordance with Article 41, to allow members to pass a resolution under Article 24 to remove the president and his cabinet from office. The Speaker after referring the advice of the President to Parliament opens the floor for debate.

The member for Ubenide Hon. Frederick Pitcher then rise on a point of clarification asking the Speaker if whether the President’s advice is debatable, since there is no question put. The Speaker said yes, the President’s dissolution notice is open for debate.

The member for Yaren Hon. Keiren Keke, then rise on a point of order, advising the Speaker that he is in agreement with his colleague Mr. Pitcher, seeking guidance from the Chair to clarify if whether there is a question to be put forward by the Chair to allow members to debate the motion.

The Speaker then informed the house that if there is no debate, the house should proceed on with its normal business, while at the same time the seven days period for dissolution countdown has begun.

The member for Ubenide the Hon. Frederick Pitcher then sought leave to move a motion of no confidence in the president and his cabinet under Article 24.

The Speaker put the question, and leave is not granted.

The member then moved another motion to suspend relevant Standing Orders to allow the motion under Article 24 to proceed. A division was called on the question to suspend relevant standing orders and a ballot took place.  

The results were, five members voted in favour to suspending relevant standing orders and four against.

The Speaker then declared that the motion is carried, then the member for Ubenide the Hon. David Adeang then rise on a point of order and advised the Speaker to give example of any precedent that allows a nominal number in parliament to carry forward such motion.

The Speaker then accepted the advice of the member for Ubenide and then shortly, the House lost quorum, with the members of Ubenide the Hon. David Adeang and the Hon. Valdon Dowiyogo left the Chamber.

The Speaker Hon. Godfrey Thoma, before adjourning the house till Tuesday 21st of May 2013, confirmed that the House will be dissolved after seven days.