Chief ‘Yet to Apply’

She has not told SODELPA she wants to run with the party in the election, he adds

Opposition leader Ro Teimumu Kepa has not yet applied for a SODELPA ticket for the general election, says party leader, Sitiveni Rabuka. The SODELPA leader was asked about Ro Teimumu’s application in Suva.

He said: “We are not aware as yet of which party Ro Teimumu will be joining.

“She has not told SODELPA that she wants to run with SODELPA in the coming election. She has not yet applied,” Mr Rabuka said.

It is understood that the comments have upset the Ro Teimumu camp, because the Gone Marama Bale na Roko Tui Dreketi (Paramount Chief of Rewa and Burebasaga Confedracy) said last month that she would put her retirement plans on hold after heeding the call of the vanua and her people to stand in the election.

Ro Dona Takalaiyale, her matanivanua (traditional spokesperson) and one of the three vice-presidents of SODELPA, had said then both Ro Teimumu and SODELPA president Ratu Naiqama Lalabalabu “are given special privileges under the party constitution”.

While he did not elaborate, it is understood that the requirements could be waived to accommodate Ro Teimumu’s late nomination. Ro Teimumu said yesterday she would only make a statement after she read the story in the Fiji Sun.

It is understood that there is strong feeling in her camp that Mr Rabuka’s comments were insulting because she would only stand for SODELPA which she helped set up and her intention to stand was made public in the Fiji Sun.

The party constitution says aspiring candidates must apply and they have to meet the stipulated criteria.