1. He chose his candidates carefully. Most of them are past MPs or were runner-ups in past elections or people of status in their communities unlike other party leaders.
2. He had the electoral commission declare his seat first when polling were still going in other places.
3. He has already indicated that his group would be camping out in Alotau. That is simply saying PNC would be there so that is where independents with the likes of Richard Maru and Sam Abel can find them. Unlike Polye who just said his door is open without letting independents know where exactly he'd be, O'Neil has indicated where he will be found.
4. When the fracas boiled over between PNC, PNG and THE parties in the past, O'Neil chose to be quiet and let Awesa do his talking. When Namah responded that 2012 was a failed election, O'Neil tactically shifted the blame to the electoral commissioner without offending Trawen.
Thus, for now O'Neil will form government with Namah and Polye including Duma's URP. But he is still leaving his door open with the possibility of future alliances with NA. At the moment with Sir Michael still being bitter and vocal over his unconstitutional removal, O'Neil won’t invite NA over yet. Once Sir Michael vacates the East Sepik regional seat and leaves it to Arthur and others to contest, he will then make his move to Pruaitch. Patrick won't do anything to Peter for they both know they are corrupt and their hands are tied up. So for the moment, it's going to be PNC, PNG, THE and URP plus independents coalition to form the government. In the future it would be PNC with NA should the rift between current coalition partners worsens.
