People's First Party (Papua New Guinea)

The People's First Party (also known as the People First Party, Pipol First Party or Pipol's First Party) is a political party in Papua New Guinea.

People First Party
LeaderRichard Maru
PresidentJack Masenu [1]
SecretaryPeter Honale [1]
FounderLuther Wenge
FoundedAugust 2001 (2001-08)
National Parliament
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Website
peoplefirstpati.com

It was established in August 2001 by Morobe Province governor Luther Wenge.[2] Wenge was re-elected at the 2002 election and Tom Amukele elected for Okapa Open. Amukele attempted to defect to the governing National Alliance Party of Michael Somare, resulting in protests from Wenge; however, this did not occur after Wenge agreed to support Somare.[3][4][5] In September 2002, the party won a Supreme Court declaration that legislation introducing a value added tax was unconstitutional.[6] A reported merger with the United Party in October 2002 did not proceed, with the party reported to still have two MPs at that time: Wenge and Amukele.[7]

In March 2004, Wenge called for the resignation of Somare, alleging mishandling of the nation's affairs, and stated that he was willing to become Prime Minister.[8] However, the party continued to support the Somare government in parliament.[9] Wenge was the party's only MP to be elected at the 2007 election.[10] Wenge claimed, following the declaration of his seat in a close race against businessman Bob Sinclair, that he would introduce a law to restrict naturalised citizens from contesting elections because Papua New Guinea was "a black country and not white country".[11]

Wenge lost his seat at the 2012 election, and the party did not have parliamentary representation again until 2022.[12]

The party was registered to contest the 2017 election.[13]

At the 2022 election the party gained 4 seats in the 113-seat Parliament.

References
  1. "REGISTRY OF POLITICAL PARTIES" (PDF). Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates Commission. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 April 2017. Retrieved 11 April 2017.
  2. "Formation of new political party announced". PNG Post Courier. 7 August 2001.
  3. "Wenge cries foul". PNG Post Courier. 26 July 2002.
  4. "Fifty-one MPs back Somare for Papua New Guinea premier". PNG Post-Courier. 2 August 2002.
  5. "Amukele passes on". PNG Post Courier. 11 January 2013.
  6. "Wenge toasts victory". PNG Post Courier. 30 September 2002.
  7. "Parties merge, new name". PNG Post Courier. 31 October 2002.
  8. ""Firebrand" PNG governor declares interest in premiership". The National. 15 March 2004.
  9. "PM confident of his numbers to govern". PNG Post Courier. 26 May 2004.
  10. "Small parties fared well in elections". PNG Post Courier. 2 August 2007.
  11. "Wenge: I will not apologise". PNG Post Courier. 6 August 2007.
  12. "Naru elected as Governor". PNG Post Courier. 30 July 2012.
  13. "Total number of parties 34: Gelu". The National. 25 July 2016. Retrieved 2 January 2017.


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