Yellowknife (Oct 03/03) - Stephen Kakfwi will not be seeking another term as an MLA or leader of the territorial government.

"I will not seek re-election as an MLA or a member of Sahtu," Kakfwi said Wednesday in the legislative assembly.

Premier Stephen Kakfwi: "I am leaving the Northwest Territories in pretty good shape."

The announcement caught most by surprise, despite weeks of speculation about Kakfwi's future, and opened the door to competition for the top job in territorial government.

Kakfwi was thought to face a tough fight to retain the Sahtu in the Nov. 24 election, a riding he has represented for 16 years. There was speculation that he might run in Yellowknife.

Kakfwi ended the rumours when he rose to speak Wednesday afternoon.

While MLAs and visitors listened in silence, he reflected on his career as a cabinet minister and premier.

"I have a huge sense of accomplishment," he said."I am leaving the Northwest Territories in pretty good shape."

Kakfwi served the last four years as premier and described it as "the best job in the world and also the toughest job I ever had."

A news release from Kakfwi's office said his decision not to run again was based in part on progress that has been made on devolution, resource revenue sharing and aboriginal equity in the Mackenzie Valley pipeline.

"The decision is made and I feel mostly good about it. I've done my job the best I can," he said.

Kakfwi said his term as premier created incredible opportunities for him, but offered no hint as to his future.

Finance Minister Joe Handley, a potential successor to Kakfwi, called the premier's decision a timely one.

"You don't want to leave when it's (the government's) down," he said. "Generally, I am happy with the progress he's made in the last four years.

"I think he feels he has been here a long time. This is not an easy job, as we all know."

David Krutko, Mackenzie-Delta MLA, was philosophical.

"There is a time to get in and a time to get out," he said. "Once you're up to the premier level, where do you go?"

Krutko said all MLAs were not 100 per cent in favour of the premier's performance, but it was difficult to focus blame on one person.

Hay River South MLA Jane Groenewegen praised Kakfwi's contribution to the Northwest Territories and political life.

"From 16 years ago to now he was able to contribute to progress and change," she said.

"In the North, people can advance.

"No one can deny he's been part of that, and a significant part of that."

Groenewegen said there was uncertainty about Kakfwi's future after the Nov. 24 vote.

"I think once you've been premier it would be hard not to be," she said.

"It's hard to predict what a new group would have done."