The name Iambakey Okuk is synonymous with politics and leadership in Chimbu Province.

The late Knight was years ahead of his time in his hay days as an independence leader, colourful and yet controversial.

Whether he was in government or in the Opposition, Okuk was held in awe by those around him.

Kondum Agaundo, Siwi Kurondo, Yawe Moses, Kuman Dai, Sir Iambakey Okuk and John Nilkare are household names in Simbu today and they are respected highly for their contributions to Simbu, the Highlands and PNG but since the passing of the Nilkare, the last kwila of Simbu politics, Chimbu has struggled to find it’s place in the politics of this country.

As a result, Simbu was content with being the “numbers” to the movers and shakers in Waigani and this has had a detrimental impact of the progress of the province in all aspects.

With no major resource project and an economy based on subsistence farming, Simbu depended heavily on Waigani for its livelihood and the cash strapped province has struggled.

This struggle continues to and its only relief is provided by its sons and daughters who worked away from home and continued to remit money to their loved ones at home.

“Enough now. It’s time we have to take a stand and be counted,” Wera Mori, senior MP in the current Parliament says.

Mori is a two term member for Chuave and he wants to retire in ,2027 but before he goes, he wants to see Simbu and its brother provinces, Jiwaka and Eastern Highlands become a force again, just like the old days with Sir Iambakey, Sir Thomas Kavali and Sir Sinake Giregire and the other independence leaders from the lower part of the highlands region.

And this must happen in this election. Mori heads the Country Party, placing himself in a power position. Like him, another two termer and highly respected MP, Kerenga Kua is leader of the National Party, a foundation institution that had stood the test of time.

“The fact that Western Highlands Governor Paias Wingti came over to Sinesine Yongumugl to campaign for him speaks volumes about Hon. Kerenga Kua.

“Kerenga is now ready to become Prime Minister,” a keen observer commented.

Both MPs are joined by another party leader, Nick Kuman, who is also making a serious bid to become a major player after the polls.

Kuman launched his own political party, the Advance PNG Party (APP) and the party is endorsing some very good candidates, with Kuman taking his campaign into some of the remote electorates around the country. “The opportunity to become Prime Minister comes every five years. Advance PNG Party wants to be major player in the formation of the new government,” the three terms MP said.

After years of struggling in the political wildness, Simbus has the best opportunity in this election to once again make its presence felt in PNG politics.

Should Mori, Kuman and Kerenga retain their seats, they will be joined by some really good people who are contesting in Kerowagi, Kundiawa Gembogl, Salt Nomane Karamui, and the Simbu provincial seat.

Men like Stanley Alphonse, Tobias Kuglang, Dilu Mugluwa, Peter Paghlau are running really hot and the voters will not go wrong to get anyone of those in for the Kundiawa Gembogl seat.
In Salt Nomane Karamui, Vitus Dame and Mathias Kin form a formidable force for sitting MP Jeffery Kama.

Then you have lawyers Martin Kombri, Peter Kuman, Joseph Kiak Goma, Merewe Degemba, Alphonse Kamb, Kerry Main Paghau from Kerowagi who will add value to the group they team up with should one of them win.

The provincial race has a poll of candidates like never seen in previous elections like development work specialist Anton Goiye and senior public servant Joe Kunda, joining his namesake, former Simbu provincial administrator, Joe Kunda, scientist Dr Clement Waine, medical Dr, Joe Tonar in Kundiawa Gembogl, geologist, Sam Ksupa from Gumine, who can command the respect from their brothers from the Highlands and furthermore contribute constructively and more meaningfully on the floor of Parliament.

“The time has come for Simbu to regain its position as a political force in the Highlands and PNG. Let’s make no mistake,” lawyer Emmanuel Agua of Kerowagi said.

In this election, the Simbu is attracting Peter O’Neill, People’s Party leader and Governor of Jiwaka, William Tongamp and Sir Peter Ipatas, United labour Party leader, late Sam Basil, the Pangu Party and many other political parties into the province to campaign for their candidates.

For the Simbus, the political parties do not really matter, they always align with candidates and with a lot of quality candidates running in this race, Simbus this time around will not go wrong.

“….In my village I am a chief among my people but today I stand in front of you like a child and when I try to speak in your language you laugh at my words.

“But tomorrow my son will come to you and he will talk to you in your language, and this time you will not laugh at him….” Kondum Agaundo, Canberra 1963.