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The candidates for the Prime Minister's post have been revealed.  After the emergence of three political groupings after the General Elections, two groups have finally emerged with both groups naming their Prime Minister.

Lifhaus sources confirm that the Heritage Park Hotel grouping made up of remanents from the CNURA government have nominated the Solomon Islands Democratic Party leader, Hon Steve Abana as their candidate for Prime Minister.  The Honiara Hotel camp have nominated Hon Danny Philip as candidate for Prime Minister when the nominations were closed today.  The Governer General has accepted these nominations and the elected members of parliament have been notified of these nominations.

Lifhaus understands that Hon Danny Philip was nominated after the group agreed to find a candidate based on consensus rather than through elimination.  Former Prime Minister's Hon Snyder Rini and Hon Manasseh Sogavare are members of this group with Hon Rini leading the largest component of this political grouping, the Independent Democratic Party.  Lifhaus understands that these moves may have been made to quell any public angst against the more notable but controversial names of Rini and Sogavare.

Hon Steve Abana was the former Minister for Development Planning and Aid Coordination in the CNURA led coalition.  Political commentators have expressed that while he is still a 'fresh' MP, he is also a very intelligent leader.  A government insider has expressed, "Hon Steve Abana is not one of those people you hear of in the political debate but in the background, he knows how to work the strings and pull them in his favour.  Give him time and he will become Prime Minister".  If we are to believe what this camp is saying, Hon Abana now has his chance to be Prime Minister.

Hon Danny Philip, on the other hand, is an old timer; a two time Foreign Affairs minister.  Our political commentators have expressed, "If Hon Danny Philip is elected Prime Minister, he will need to keep the likes of Sogavare and Rini at bay.  They have influence and can easily sway things in their favour.  There is the possibility that Philip was nominated based purely on his appeal to the public.  He is percieved as a more stable leader and certainly a less controversial choice."

Our sources say, Hon Steve Abana was nominated by Hon. Andrew Keniasina, former Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Derick Sikua, Hon. Clay Forau and Hon. Job Duddely Tausinga.

Hon. Danny Philip's name was put forward by Hon. Varian Lonamei, Hon. Hypolite Taremae, Hon. Peter Shanel and Hon. Jackson Fiulaua.  Hon. Shanel who has been subjected to media scrutiny after his multiple appearances in both camps appears to have finally made up his mind.

While it remains uncertain who will ultimately win the leadership position there is already a clear distinction between the two camps.  On one hand lies the country's future and on the other hand, our legacy; the Solomon Islands as it has always been.  What the 50 members of parliament do on Wednesday will determine the country's future.  Whether we go forward or we stay shrouded in our inglorious past.

In other news, Lifhaus sources have revealed that Wednesday 25th August 2010 will be a public holiday for all public servants.

This weekend will be an interesting time as the two camps attempt to consolidate their numbers.