Solomon Islands Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Manasseh Maelanga has rejected accusations that he was secretly campaigning for a government candidate in the upcoming Gela by-elections.
In a letter published in the Solomon Star newspaper this week, a so-called “Charles Rongovata” claimed that the government has sent Hon. Maelanga to Gela on January 23 on a campaign mission to rally support for a government candidate by the name of David Harper.
Responding to the accusations, Hon. Maelanga described the letter as “misleading and untruthful” adding that the author of the letter appeared to have personal issues against the current government.
“I want people to know that it’s none of my business neither the Government’s intention to support any particular candidate in that said by-election as claimed by the writer,” Mr Maelanga said.
The Deputy Prime Minister clarified that he traveled to Gela as an individual to visit friends for a break after a tiring effort to assist his own constituents early in January this year.
“My trip to Gela, particularly, Tulagi, is to take a break after diligently working on my constituency programs early this year. For someone such as Charles Rongovata to link my visit to the by-election is ridiculous and unfounded,” Mr Maelanga explained.
Meanwhile, Mr Maelanga urges Charles Rongovata to be responsible by getting facts on issues right before deceiving the public with untruths in the media.
Source: Press Release, Government Communications Unit