Somare press conference cancelled

A press conference scheduled for 11am today by the Sir Michael Somare faction at Morauta Haus in Waigani was cancelled.
Journalists waiting to attend the press conference were told that it was cancelled.

O'Neill appeals to Somare to resolve the stalemate

Parliament is on right live on NBC FM 90.7 and they have just made an opening prayer to God to rescue Papua New Guinea from its current political chaos.

"Prime Minister" Peter O'Neill has appealed to "Prime Minister" Sir Michael Somare to attend today's parliament session and resolve the status quo.

Only the O'Neill faction is in parliament right now while the Somare faction is understood to me meeting at Morauta Haus in Waigani, which houses the Office of the Prime Minister and the National Executive Council. 

Reappointed Finance chief assaulted

It was  reported on NBC news this morning that Sir Michael Somare's reappointed Finance Secretary Gabriel Yer was assaulted by angry Southern Highlands landowners at Vulupindi Haus yesterday.

Court order sought against Somare

Warner Shand Lawyers is at the moment registering a case on behalf of Peter O'Neill to stop Sir Michael Somare from taking office.

'Double Trouble in Paradise'

It seems to be 'Double Trouble in Paradise' as Papua New Guinea has two governors-general, two prime ministers, two deputy prime ministers, 50-plus ministers, two police commissioners and two treasury secretaries.

This follows yesterday's suspension of governor-general Sir Michael Ogio in a new twist of political events.

The suspension paved way for Speaker Jeffrey Nape to automatically assume the position of acting governor-general.

He then presided over the swearing-in of Peter O'Neill, who was re-elected prime minister on Monday by 69 MPs.

After that, Nape signed instruments dismissing ministers in the Somare government who had been sworn in only hours earlier in thr morning by Sir Michael Ogio at Government House.

Peter O'Neill faction still in control of Parliament

The Peter O'Neill majority faction has just passed a motion requiring Governor General Michael Ogio, to attend Parliament to swear in O'Neill as Prime Minister.

Parliament question time on right now which is being broadcast live on NBC FM 90.7. 

Dominated by the  O'Neill faction as the Sir Michael Somare faction hasn't come in yet.

Jeffrey Nape calls himself speaker, O'Neill still calls himself Prime Minister and the ministers are still holding on to their portfolios and answering questions.

Breaking news: Sir Michael Somare is now Prime Minister

The Sir Michael Somare Cabinet has just been sworn in at Government House by Governor-General Sir Michael Ogio.
Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare is now being driven off to Morauta Haus, Waigani, followed by his ministers.
A press conference is expected to be held at Morauta Haus.


More to come.