Opposition expected to nominate Ro Teimumu Kepa for President

The Opposition is likely to nominate the name of SODELPA MP and the High Chief of Burebasaga confederacy, Marama Roko Tui Dreketi, Ro Teimumu Kepa for the country’s President tomorrow.

Sources within SODELPA have confirmed that the party caucus had decided on the nominee however it will only be officially known when the name is put on the floor tomorrow.

Opposition Leader, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu has not made any comments.

Ro Teimumu is a former Principal of Corpus Christi College, former senator, former Minister following the 2000 coup in the interim government of the late Laisenia Qarase and former Minister for Education after the 2001 and 2006 general elections.

In March 2014, Ro Teimumu was elected leader of the newly formed SODELPA, and led the party into the 2014 election. She then became the Leader of the Opposition.

Ro Teimumu stood down as leader of SODELPA in 2016 but stood for the elections in 2018.

According to the 2013 Constitution, whenever a vacancy arises in the office of the President, the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition shall nominate one name each to the Speaker who shall put both the names to the floor of Parliament for voting by the Members of Parliament.

The person who receives the support of the majority of the Members of Parliament present shall be appointed as the President.