Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka says he shall consider his actions, moving forward, with a balanced view of Coalition Discipline, Obedience, Loyalty, and what the required effects of corrective disciplinary action on a member of an organization should have on the organization.
Rabuka has made this comment to fijivillage News when asked on whether he will reinstate SODELPA MP, Aseri Radrodro as the Minister for Education.
Rabuka confirms that Deputy Prime Minister, Viliame Gavoka brought a covering letter, signed by the Party President, Party General Secretary, and Party Leader Gavoka with the SODELPA Management Board resolution, and they had a long discussion at the PM’s Office yesterday afternoon.
The Prime Minister says it conveyed a message that came out of an objective Management Board Meeting with the benefit of clear-headed assessment, devoid of ‘knee jerk’ staccato comments that came from SODELPA GS and Working Committee, of the situation within the Coalition Government and proper consideration of the machinery of governance and the application of the rule of law.
Stay with us for developments.
The SODELPA Leader Viliame Gavoka has handed in their resolution papers to the Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka at the Prime Minister's Office this afternoon.
This was confirmed to fijivillage News by the General Secretary Viliame Takayawa who says that they are at the People's Alliance Office to rekindle their talanoa session.
The SODELPA Management Board has unanimously agreed that SODELPA should write to Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka to reinstate SODELPA MP, Aseri Radrodro as the Minister for Education.
30 of the 43 members turned up for the meeting today.
No options presented by the Working Group like speaking to the FijiFirst were looked at.
Gavoka says there was zero talk on this.
The unity is very strong within SODELPA.
This was the message from SODELPA MP and former Minister for Education, Aseri Radrodro after the party’s Management Board unanimously agreed that SODELPA should write to Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka to reinstate Radrodro as the Minister for Education.
He says the resolution was made today and all members voted for the resolution.
Radrodro had earlier made a public apology and requested the Prime Minister to reinstate him as the Minister for Education.
30 out of the 43 members of the Management Board attended today's meeting at the Southern Cross Hotel.
The SODELPA Management Board has unanimously agreed that SODELPA should write to Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka to reinstate SODELPA MP, Aseri Radrodro as the Minister for Education.
The board sat in Suva to look at issues dealing with the dismissed Minister for Education, Radrodro, and the explanations given by the Prime Minister on why Radrodro was dismissed which relates to the Fiji National University Council appointments, and Radrodro’s written response to Rabuka’s statement.
SODELPA Leader, Viliame Gavoka also made it clear that SODELPA fully supports the coalition government and Prime Minister Rabuka.
Gavoka says they have passed a resolution to plead with the Prime Minister to relook at the case of Aseri Radrodro, and to reinstate him.
He says they believe that a number of issues were unclear, some communication could have been better and Radrodro had done exactly what was required of him by the Prime Minister and as per the Charter of the FNU.
Gavoka says they know there has been a sense of anxiety in the community over the past few days but SODELPA assures the country that they will support the government of the day, and they believe they have a good case on which they will plead to the Prime Minister to reinstate Radrodro as the Minister.
He says they believe the resolution creates the space for dialogue, and they know the Prime Minister has a big heart, and will do justice to the request.
Gavoka also says there is no timeframe, ultimatum or demand to the Prime Minister as this is based on goodwill.
Radrodro had earlier made a public apology and requested the Prime Minister to reinstate him as the Minister for Education.
SODELPA Leader and Deputy Prime Minister Viliame Gavoka, former SODELPA Leader Ro Teimumu Kepa, SODELPA MP Aseri Radrodro, Minister for iTaukei Affairs, Ifereimi Vasu, SODELPA Youth President Ben Daveta, Youth Vice President Koroi Tikoilomaloma and other board members were in attendance.
30 members turned up for the meeting today.
No options presented by the Working Group like speaking to the FijiFirst were looked at.
Gavoka says there was zero talk on this.
The SODELPA Management Board is currently looking at the request for the Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka to reinstate SODELPA MP, Aseri Radrodro as the Minister for Education.
The 43 member board is sitting in Suva to look at issues dealing with the dismissed Minister for Education, Radrodro, and the explanations given by the Prime Minister on why Radrodro was dismissed which relates to the Fiji National University Council appointments, and Radrodro’s written response to Rabuka’s statement.
Radrodro has also made a public apology and requested the Prime Minister to reinstate him as the Minister for Education.
SODELPA General Secretary, Viliame Takayawa says they are discussing the coalition agreement, party leadership elections in April, and review of the SODELPA Constitution including the proposed reduction of the party’s management board members. He says the reduction of the board numbers is to streamline things before the 2026 elections.
Takayawa says the management board is made up of executive members constituency, women and youth members.
SODELPA Leader and Deputy Prime Minister Viliame Gavoka, former SODELPA Leader Ro Teimumu Kepa, SODELPA MP Aseri Radrodro, Minister for iTaukei Affairs, Ifereimi Vasu, SODELPA Youth President Ben Daveta, Youth Vice President Koroi Tikoilomaloma and other board members are in attendance.
The management board will look at the SODELPA Working Group recommendations which include looking at the option to start discussions with the FijiFirst Party.
Stay with us for developments.
The SODELPA Management Board meeting is set to start at the Southern Cross Hotel in Suva this hour.
The 43 member board will sit to look at issues dealing with the dismissed Minister for Education, Aseri Radrodro, and the explanations given by the Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka on why Radrodro was dismissed which relates to the Fiji National University Council appointments, and Radrodro’s written response to Rabuka’s statement.
Radrodro has also made a public apology and requested the Prime Minister to reinstate him as the Minister for Education.
SODELPA General Secretary, Viliame Takayawa says they are discussing the coalition agreement, party leadership elections in April, and review of the SODELPA Constitution including the proposed reduction of the party’s management board members. He says the reduction of the board numbers is to streamline things before the 2026 elections.
Takayawa says the management board is made up of executive members constituency, women and youth members.
He says they need have a quorum of 22 to have the meeting.
SODELPA Leader and Deputy Prime Minister Viliame Gavoka, former SODELPA Leader Ro Teimumu Kepa, SODELPA MP Aseri Radrodro, Minister for iTaukei Affairs, Ifereimi Vasu, SODELPA Youth President Ben Daveta, Youth Vice President Koroi Tikoilomaloma and other board members are in attendance.
The management board will look at the SODELPA Working Group recommendations which include looking at the option to start discussions with the FijiFirst Party.
Stay with us for developments.
Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka says SODELPA is free to go and form a coalition with the FijiFirst but they must first break the current agreement.
Rabuka made these comments when asked about the SODELPA Working Group option for the management board to approve talks with the FijiFirst.
Rabuka also says he was not in SODELPA when asked for his comments on former SODELPA Management Board Vice President, Anare Jale saying that Aseri Radrodro was pushing multiple times for SODELPA to join the FijiFirst after the 2022 general elections.
Rabuka says the coalition is still unable to find out who apart from the opposition voted against the motion for him to be the Prime Minister on Christmas Eve in 2022, as it was a secret ballot.
He also says he has no expectations from today’s SODELPA Management Board meeting, as the party will have it’s own discussions.
Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka says he was not in SODELPA when asked for his comments on former SODELPA Management Board Vice President, Anare Jale saying that Aseri Radrodro was pushing multiple times for SODELPA to join the FijiFirst after the 2022 general elections.
Rabuka says the coalition is still unable to find out who apart from the opposition voted against the motion for him to be the Prime Minister on Christmas Eve in 2022, as it was a secret ballot.
He also says he has no expectations from today’s SODELPA Management Board meeting, as the party will have it’s own discussions.
While responding to questions, Rabuka also says SODELPA is free to go and form a coalition with the FijiFirst but they must first break the current agreement.
Deputy Prime Minister and SODELPA Leader, Viliame Gavoka stresses that SODELPA will support the People’s Coalition Government for it's full term.
Gavoka made this clear when questioned on issues being raised about the support to Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka.
Gavoka also says he had assumed that everything was rectified in regards to the appointment of the Fiji National University Council, but he had informed the Prime Minister after Christmas last year.
Speaking to fijivillage News at the Ministry of Education Headquarters in Suva, Gavoka says the dismissed Minister for Education, Aseri Radrodro, had written to him about the FNU Council, and he decided to meet privately with Radrodro.
He says Radrodro had assured him that he had reinstated the four Councillors and the processes in place to rectify the concerns expressed by the Prime Minister at the time.
He adds during that time, FNU had been performing well, and he assumed that everything was going well, and he left it at that.
The SODELPA Leader says before Christmas, he learned that he had to convey this to the Prime Minister, and he did so after Christmas.
Gavoka says he received a letter a few days later from the Prime Minister informing him of the actions that they had taken.
When questioned if Gavoka supported the decision of the Prime Minister, Gavoka said Sitiveni Rabuka is the Prime Minister and he has to protect his office.
He says people have to realise that he is part of the executives who are in charge of the management of this country.
Radrodro was dismissed from cabinet last Friday.
Rabuka says Radrodro has been dismissed for insubordination and disobedience to his directive.
Rabuka has informed President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere and Speaker of Parliament, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu of his decision.
The SODELPA Management Board will meet this Friday at 10am at the Southern Cross Hotel to deliberate on the coalition agreement and the dismissal of Radrodro.
Dismissed Minister of Education, Aseri Radrodro has made a public apology for all the drama caused and has asked the Prime Minister if his termination can be rescinded, and for it to be noted that this is a matter of miscommunication of the various parties involved.
Radrodro says this matter provides a good lesson for us moving forward to dialogue as leaders in good faith and to remove any personal bias that may cloud our good judgement, for our people certainly deserve better.
SODELPA and its MP Aseri Radrodro have written to the Prime Minister’s Office asking for the reinstatement of Radrodro as the Minister for Education.
The letter also consists of the correspondence in regards to the appointment of the Fiji National University Council.
Radrodro says he acted on the advice of the Solicitor General and not on the advice of the Prime Minister.
While speaking to the media at the SODELPA Headquarters in Suva, Radrodro says the advice from the Solicitor General's office is mandated by law, and the appointment of the FNU Council is done according to the FNU Act.
Radrodro also claims during the press conference that there were communication issues, which resulted in the Prime Minister not knowing what had truly transpired. The former Minister for Education says the FNU Council that was removed was reinstated on 14th September 2023.
Meanwhile, SODELPA General Secretary Viliame Takayawa says from the messages they received, it is evident that the Prime Minister has lost control of his office, and the correspondence sent to his office has neither been acknowledged nor responded to.
He says after the SODELPA statement on Friday, they received an overwhelming number of calls and messages from high-profile People’s Alliance supporters, public servants, and MPs who wish to stay anonymous supporting their call for the PM to step down.
Takayawa says SODELPA has written several letters to the PM over the last six months with no response, and just yesterday morning, the party received its only second correspondence in the last 13 months regarding Aseri Radrodro’s dismissal statement by the PM that was aired via the Government facebook page.
He adds when the Office of the Prime Minister made the call to reshuffle the cabinet, due process was not followed and a similar situation occurred again.
The SODELPA General Secretary says this type of leadership is unsuitable and eventually not only SODELPA but the public will have to say enough is enough.
Takayawa says the People’s Alliance management board and the MPs need to take control of the situation before further damage is caused by the Prime Minister’s Office and there is no point in airing his discontent behind closed doors when he can see what is unfolding in front of his eyes.
He adds Fiji deserves a stable united government, and SODELPA has been committed to this from day 1 in accordance with the Coalition Agreement.
He further adds the Prime Minister has been manipulating the agreement in its favour when it suits them, and this is not suitable.
He also stressed that their support for the coalition government is intact.
The SODELPA Management Board will meet this Friday at 10am at the Southern Cross Hotel to deliberate on the coalition agreement and the dismissal of Radrodro.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka stresses to the public that he stands by his decision to dismiss the Minister for Education, Aseri Radrodro from cabinet.
Rabuka says in November last year, he requested SODELPA Leader, Viliame Gavoka to raise the Prime Minister's concern and disappointment with the SODELPA Management Board regarding the failure of Radrodro to comply with the Fiji National University Act in removing the Chairperson and three members of the FNU Council in May 2023 and Radrodro’s failure to comply with legal advice from the Solicitor General for reinstatement of the Chairperson and three members of the FNU Council. Rabuka says he urged Gavoka to urge the SODELPA Management Board to consider taking action to ensure the unlawful decisions made by Radrodro, are rescinded, as it could invite serious legal consequences for the Coalition Government.
The Prime Minister stresses that Radrodro's dismissal is effective from yesterday and he may no longer exercise the powers and privileges of the Minister for Education while Gavoka assumes the Education portfolio as of yesterday.
He also reminded SODELPA that they must also ensure that the working committee does not exceed its mandate in purporting to exercise the powers of the management board as set out in its party constitution. He also urges all parties involved to conduct themselves with respect for due process and the rule of law as the progress of our great nation depends on their collective commitment to the rule of law and democratic values enshrined in the constitution.
He stresses that after careful consideration of all relevant factors, he will not change his stand regarding Radrodro's dismissal.
While delivering a live address, Rabuka says regarding the dispatch of letters to Radrodro on Friday, he also wants to clarify that his public statement on the dismissal was published only after confirmation of the dispatch of letters to Radrodro, the President and the Speaker of the Parliament on Friday. He says the Constitution guides his actions, and he remains committed to upholding its principles.
The Prime Minister says his decision was not made lightly and was taken only after due process had been followed.
Rabuka reveals that he had written three letters to Radrodro since September 2023 and held discussions with Deputy Prime Minister and Party Leader of SODELPA Viliame Gavoka in October and then he wrote to Gavoka in early November with a follow up of two letters to Radrodro in December last year.
Rabuka further says he has been advised by Deputy Prime Minister, Manoa Kamikamica that when he was the Acting Prime Minister in May 2023, he requested the Solicitor General to provide him a copy of the legal opinion with regards to the termination of the FNU Chair and Council Members.
Rabuka said Radrodro had been advised to comply with the legal advice from the Solicitor General and he assured the Acting Prime Minister that he would address the issue accordingly. Rabuka says he does not have a direct conduit to SODELPA or its Management Board and the channel of communication is through the Deputy Prime Minister and the SODELPA Party and Parliamentary Leader, Viliame Gavoka.
He also acknowledged the public's understanding and trust that they will navigate these challenges in the best interests of the people of Fiji.
Meanwhile, Rabuka had made it clear on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan in October last year that he would remove Radrodro from cabinet if he continued to refuse to follow his directives.
SODELPA Party and its MP Aseri Radrodro have written to the Prime Minister’s Office asking for the reinstatement of Radrodro as the Minister for Education.
The letter also consists of the correspondence in regards to the appointment of the Fiji National University Council.
Radrodro says he acted on the advice of the Solicitor General and not on the advice of the Prime Minister.
While speaking to the media at the SODELPA Headquarters in Suva, Radrodro says the advice from the Solicitor General's office is mandated by law, and the appointment of the FNU Council is done according to the FNU Act.
Radrodro also claims during the press conference that there were communication issues, which resulted in the Prime Minister not knowing what had truly transpired.
The former Minister for Education says the FNU Council that was removed was reinstated on 14th September 2023.
Meanwhile, SODELPA General Secretary Viliame Takayawa says from the messages they received, it is evident that the Prime Minister has lost control of his office, and the correspondence sent to his office has neither been acknowledged nor responded to.
He says after the SODELPA statement on Friday, they received an overwhelming number of calls and messages from high-profile People’s Alliance supporters, public servants, and MPs who wish to stay anonymous supporting their call for the PM to step down.
Takayawa says SODELPA has written several letters to the PM over the last six months with no response, and just this morning, the party received its only second correspondence in the last 13 months regarding Aseri Radrodro’s dismissal statement by the PM that was aired via the Government facebook page.
He adds when the Office of the Prime Minister made the call to reshuffle the cabinet, due process was not followed and a similar situation occurred again.
The SODELPA General Secretary says this type of leadership is unsuitable and eventually not only SODELPA but the public will have to say enough is enough.
Takayawa says the People’s Alliance management board and the MPs need to take control of the situation before further damage is caused by the Prime Minister’s Office and there is no point in airing his discontent behind closed doors when he can see what is unfolding in front of his eyes.
He adds Fiji deserves a stable united government, and SODELPA has been committed to this from day 1 in accordance with the Coalition Agreement.
He further adds the Prime Minister has been manipulating the agreement in its favour when it suits them, and this is not suitable.
He also stressed that their support for the coalition government is intact.
The SODELPA Management Board will meet this Friday at 10am at the Southern Cross Hotel to deliberate on the coalition agreement and the dismissal of Radrodro.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka stresses to the public that he stands by his decision to dismiss the Minister for Education, Aseri Radrodro from cabinet.
Rabuka says in November last year, he requested SODELPA Leader, Viliame Gavoka to raise the Prime Minister's concern and disappointment with the SODELPA Management Board regarding the failure of Radrodro to comply with the Fiji National University Act in removing the Chairperson and three members of the FNU Council in May 2023 and Radrodro’s failure to comply with legal advice from the Solicitor General for reinstatement of the Chairperson and three members of the FNU Council.
Rabuka says he urged Gavoka to urge the SODELPA Management Board to consider taking action to ensure the unlawful decisions made by Radrodro, are rescinded, as it could invite serious legal consequences for the Coalition Government.
The Prime Minister stresses that Radrodro's dismissal is effective from today and he may no longer exercise the powers and privileges of the Minister for Education while Gavoka assumes the Education portfolio as of today.
He also reminded SODELPA that they must also ensure that the working committee does not exceed its mandate in purporting to exercise the powers of the management board as set out in its party constitution.
He also urges all parties involved to conduct themselves with respect for due process and the rule of law as the progress of our great nation depends on their collective commitment to the rule of law and democratic values enshrined in the constitution.
He stresses that after careful consideration of all relevant factors, he will not change his stand regarding Radrodro's dismissal.
While delivering a live address, Rabuka says regarding the dispatch of letters to Radrodro on Friday, he also wants to clarify that his public statement on the dismissal was published only after confirmation of the dispatch of letters to Radrodro, the President and the Speaker of the Parliament on Friday.
He says the Constitution guides his actions, and he remains committed to upholding its principles.
The Prime Minister says his decision was not made lightly and was taken only after due process had been followed.
Rabuka reveals that he had written three letters to Radrodro since September 2023 and held discussions with Deputy Prime Minister and Party Leader of SODELPA Viliame Gavoka in October and then he wrote to Gavoka in early November with a follow up of two letters to Radrodro in December last year.
Rabuka further says he has been advised by Deputy Prime Minister, Manoa Kamikamica that when he was the Acting Prime Minister in May 2023, he requested the Solicitor General to provide him a copy of the legal opinion with regards to the termination of the FNU Chair and Council Members.
Rabuka said Radrodro had been advised to comply with the legal advice from the Solicitor General and he assured the Acting Prime Minister that he would address the issue accordingly. Rabuka says he does not have a direct conduit to SODELPA or its Management Board and the channel of communication is through the Deputy Prime Minister and the SODELPA Party and Parliamentary Leader, Viliame Gavoka.
He also acknowledged the public's understanding and trust that they will navigate these challenges in the best interests of the people of Fiji.
Meanwhile, Rabuka had made it clear on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan in October last year that he would remove Radrodro from cabinet if he continued to refuse to follow his directives.
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