Pastor Bernard Kaku

Pastor Bernard Kaku said the people in the province are reaping the decision the leaders have made at the national level. He made these remarks during the launch of major impact projects at Momei oval in Mendi on Thursday.

“It is not the people and leaders of the province that is creating the problems in the province but the government's agents doing wrong decisions that is affecting the people."

Mr Kaku said that public servants appointed to head government departments or agencies have signed an oath to perform their constitutional duties right and transparently.

The three-man bench will hear submissions on serious issues raised on August 31^st by Powi’s lawyer on the National Court decision declaring a recount of the 2017 Southern Highlands election votes.

One of the issues that will be deliberated on is; if it was proper to hand down a decision outside the jurisdiction of the court.

Trial Judge in the matter, Justice David Cannings had delivered the court decision on August 24^th via a video link from Australia.

Petitioner Pastor Bernard Kaku, the fourth runner up candidate in the 2017 Southern Highlands Provincial seat general elections, is challenging Governor-elect William Powi.

Submissions from legal teams from both sides and the Electoral Commission presented their arguments to Justice David Cannings on Tuesday afternoon.

Lawyer representing Pastor Kaku argued that the Provincial Returning Officer, Steven Kaupa, failed to complete and determine the results of the counting, by prematurely declaring William Powi as the elected leader.

The petition has been listed for hearing of a motion on objection to competency on Monday, February 11^th.

The petition went for mention before Trial Judge, Justice George Manuhu, today.

He urged all parties to respect the court process, which will deal with the merits of the election dispute and not on threats and intimidations.

Justice Manuhu issued the remarks after it was brought to the court’s attention by one of the parties that ‘threats’ were being issued.