Allan Marat has occupied several senior ministerial positions including Justice, has served as deputy PM and also as Deputy Opposition Leader.

He’s among the very few whose name has never been associated with corruption.

And he is not known for switching sides when convenient.

In debates, he carefully avoids name calling and focuses on the issues.

Marat commands respect from both the opposition and government sides.

That’s why for us, he occupies first position.

Governor Alan Bird -

2 - Governor Alan Bird (National Alliance)

As a provincial governor, Alan Bird cannot be prime minister and, to gain the position, would have to relinquish his governorship of East Sepik.

Bird’s speeches in debate are informed and, like Marat, he focuses on issues and not individuals.

His only problem is that he has been content to see Marape entertain garbage.

How on earth did he along with Gary Juffa, Kerenga Kua and Bryan Kramer let Sam Basil return to the deputy prime minister’s position in 2020 after he (Basil) failed in an attempt to change the government?

These so-called corruption fighters have lived and dined in the same camp as those MPs alleged to be corrupt.

We have not seen the expected reports on APEC, the Maseratis, the Yoga funds nor the UBS report from the Ombudsman Commission.

It was not enough, we need a new Commission of Inquiry.

Bird, to his credit, has openly challenged the government that he is part of on some issues.

And if we were judging patriotism, he would take the number one spot.

The sooner National Alliance realises that Patrick Pruaitch is not prime ministerial material, the better it will be. In fact, Bird needs to get take over leadership of the party.

Kerenga Kua -

3 - Kerenga Kua (PNG National Party)

Prior to 2019, Kua was up there with Marat as a strong prime ministerial contender.

But since joining the government, he’s only been heard of in the role of natural resource negotiator. It seems he’s become silent for practical reasons.

That’s expected because he’s in government, but he was content to accommodate alleged corruption among the government MPs.

For Kua, Bird, Kramer and Juffa, keeping the government intact was more important than separating out corrupt MPs and pushing for investigations.

That said, however, Kua and Marat remain real statesmen.

And the rest….

Governor Gary Juffa and Bryan Kramer

Kramer and Juffa are more activist politicians than prime ministerial material. They are most useful in opposition keeping the government accountable.

They have served the country well as opposition MPs.

You can make the argument that Niccolò Machiavelli’s ‘The Prince’ was written for Peter O’Neill and James Marape: the power hungry.

Whilst Basil and Pruaitch take pride in being yo-yo politicians.

Marape gave the foreign affairs ministry to Pruaitch in exchange for Pruaitch dropping the Constitutional challenge on the validity of Marape’s election.

James Marape and Sam Basil

Marape also accepted Basil back as deputy prime minister after Basil unsuccessful tried to replace him as PM in 2020.

Marape will do everything under the sun to stay in power as prime minister.

O’Neill is, well he’s O’Neill. Cunning, irresponsible and power hungry.

Don’t rule out the possibility of O’Neill and Marape joining forces. They have one thing in common: they love the PM’s post.

There are others I haven’t listed as potential prime ministers.

Patrick Pruaitch and Peter O'Neill

What about Belden Namah? He lacks the temperament.

William Duma is an unconsciously sliding MP.

Davis Steven, Charles Abel, Ian Ling-Stuckey and Puka Temu would better serve as ministers or vice-ministers.

So what do you think of this list? Comment and let us know.