A Nauru MP expelled with two colleagues from Parliament this week says it is simply a device to ensure the government retains power.
A former finance and foreign minister, Dr Kieren Keke, along with Roland Kun and Mathew Batsiua, were suspended ostensibly for speaking with the international media about what they say are the government's failings.
But Dr Keke says the government needed to them out of parliament to ensure it would not be toppled in the now completed session.
He says there is widespread dissension within the government's own ranks.
"So this is really just a basic move to ensure they remain in office despite their knowledge that not only the opposition are wanting to remove them but they have got members within their own group who believe that it is time for a change of goverment."
Dr Kieren Keke.
A Nauru government spokesperson has rejected Dr Keke's claim, saying it has a significant majority.
