Kavo ousted as governor

KEREMA MP Pitom Bombom was elected as the new governor for Gulf yesterday afternoon at the Gulf assembly in Kerema, an election that took place despite a court action filed in the Waigani National Court, The National reports.

Incumbent governor Havila Kavo showed up with five appointed assembly members.

But there was confusion as to what happened, and whether there were one, or two sittings yesterday.

According to one report, nine LLG presidents, Kikori MP Mark Maipakai and Kerema MP Bombom were present and elected Bombom as governor.

But a spokesman for Kavo said last night said Kavo had called for an assembly sitting at 2pm but the other faction did not show up.

“After having waited for almost 30 minutes for other ‘faction’ members to enter, Kavo as chairman adjourned the sitting to Aug 13 while all members rose and exited the chambers,” Kavo’s spokesman said.

He said when they were all out, the other party entered the chamber where they carried out the no-confidence motion.

But a spokesman for Bombom said the vote was carried out, and when Kavo lost, he stormed out with his team.

During this meeting, court papers of an appearance last Friday was served on those present.