Former deputy opposition leader, Joe Natuman said his side has accepted the decision of the Supreme Court this morning.
Natuman is one of the applicants in the dismissed urgent constitutional case on the dissolution of parliament
He told supporters and media outside the court house after the ruling that he was satisfied that they had the majority of members of parliament when President Baldwin Lonsdale opted to accept the advice of the Council of Ministers to dissolve parliament.
“Half of the government side are now in jail”, Natuman pointed to the correctional facility adjacent to the court house.
He said the former opposition bloc are united and prepared for the snap election and are confident of returning to parliament in a better form.
“The corruption case that went to court and landed government members in jail had tainted a negative image on their side. Our side is united and ready to return after 22nd of January with a clear simple majority”, he said.
He said this same corruption issue will remain an issue during the upcoming political campaign period leading to the snap election on 22 January 2016.
In front of the lawyers, Natuman thanked them for their assistance and deliberation in the courtroom. He also thanked other supporters for their support.
He said his side will be meeting after this to decide whether not to pursue an appeal.
Joe Natuman was the main complainant in the bribery case. He was prime minister when Moana Carcasses (then leader of opposition) opted to bribe members of the opposition and the government in a bid to oust Natuman from office and elect a new prime minister.
The current caretaker prime minister was sacked by Natuman for his alleged involvement with the then opposition plot and succeeded Natuman as prime minister after successfully passing a motion of no-confidence on Natuman.