Sitiveni Rabuka elected as SODELPA Party Leader

Sitiveni Rabuka elected as SODELPA Party Leader

By Vijay Narayan
24/06/2016
Sitiveni Rabuka has been chosen as the party leader for SODELPA.

Former Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka is the new party leader for SODELPA.

Party President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu confirmed in the SODELPA General Assembly at the FTA Hall in Suva that Rabuka was chosen after interviews conducted with all the nominees by a panel chaired by former Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase.

Ratu Naiqama says interviews were done with Rabuka, Viliame Gavoka, Anare Jale and Ratu Kiniviliame Kiliraki.

The management board met for almost 2 hours this morning and a vote was taken after discussions.

Rabuka got majority votes.

Fijivillage has received confirmation that there were differences within SODELPA’s management board as some members including SODELPA’s Parliamentary Leader Ro Teimumu Kepa do not agree to the decision that Rabuka should be the SODELPA Leader.

Rabuka and Ro Teimumu
New SODELPA Leader Sitiveni Rabuka speaking with Ro Teimumu Kepa

This led to further discussions and the start of the SODELPA AGM was delayed by almost two hours.

Speaking to our News Director Vijay Narayan after the announcement, Ratu Naiqama confirmed that there were differences but that they managed to move ahead with Rabuka’s appointment.

0% buffered00:00Current time00:00

Ratu Naiqama says some people did not agree with Rabuka because of his past.

0% buffered00:00Current time00:00

Fijivillage also questioned Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu if Ro Teimumu accepted the decision and we also asked him about Rabuka presenting a ‘matanigasau’ to the people present in the meeting.

0% buffered00:00Current time00:00

Ro Teimumu said after the meeting that she has to support the democratic processes of the party although she may not agree to it personally.

She stresses that the people of Burebasaga will not support a coup leader.

0% buffered00:00Current time00:00

Ro Teimumu will continue to be the Opposition Leader while Rabuka will now lead SODELPA’s preparations for the 2018 elections.

This change in SODELPA’s constitution was approved by the party’s General Assembly.

SODELPA is expected to call for 2018 elections candidates soon and the announcement of the candidates will be done in April 2017.

FEATURE NEWS
It’s not a panic budget, the panic is from the Opposition – Prof. Prasad
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Professor Biman Prasad says this is not a ‘panic budget’, as described by the Leader of the Opposit...
3 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Tabuya says 2025/2026 National Budget pays attention to details and hears the war cry against poverty
The 2025/2026 National Budget is a budget that pays attention to details, taking simple yet meaningful changes, and hears the war cry of Prime ...
3 hours ago

I could not hold back my tears, Sayed-Khaiyum needs urgent specialist treatment - Lal
Opposition MP, Ketan Lal says he could not hold back his tears when he visited former Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum at Lautoka Aspen Hospital ...
3 hours ago

VAT cut is not a cure – Koya
Opposition MP Faiyaz Koya says the VAT cut is not a cure but it is a band-aid solution to the cost of living problem. While opposing the 2025-2026 ...
4 hours ago

Vosarogo says no budget is perfect and the last 16 years were a disastrous starting point
We can all agree that no budget is perfect — just as nothing in life or this world truly is. Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources, Filimoni ...
4 hours ago

652 people displaced by fires in the first half of this year – NFA
The number of people displaced by property fires in the first half of this year has increased to 652 compared to 566 in the same period last year, ...
7 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Professor Prasad on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
The show will focus on the 2025/2026 National Budget.
8 days ago

Tui Nayau and Tui Lau Installation
The ceremony for the installation of the Tui Nayau Sau ni Vanua o Lau will be held tomorrow, while the installation ceremony of the Tui Lau will be held in Tubou on Thursday.
10 days ago

CFL 40th Birthday
CFL’s 40th Anniversary celebrations to culminate with free concert at Albert Park on ...
12 days ago

TOP