Ro Teimumu has the last laugh
Some may call it Karma. But one thing is for sure. Ro Teimumu Kepa is having the last laugh.
She is on the winning side in the battle for control of SODELPA. Yesterday her group was recognised by Registrar of Political Parties Mohammed Saneem as the legitimate group to take control of the embattled party. Ro Teimumu was dragged through the mud and forced to relinquish her party leader role by elements in the rival faction through a series of constitutional amendments after the party lost the 2014 General Election. She suffered a humiliating experience which she carried silently and did not retaliate. The controversial Gaunavinaka Report which severely criticised her leadership and her giving up her party leader role were two of her worst experiences in her political career.
She had raised her grievances through the party’s disciplinary processes but nothing came out of it.
The inquiry was a whitewash because everyone involved was pardoned.
Yesterday should be V Day for her. It has a brought a closure to a saga that had caused pain to her family and her traditional subjects as the Marama Bale na Roko Tui Dreketi, paramount chief of Rewa and the Burebasaga Confederacy.
She has emerged as one of the five influential figures in the Vijay Singh-led group. The others are president Vijay Singh, General Secretary Emele Duituturaga, MP Lynda Tabuya and businesswoman Mere Samisoni. The Tui Cakau, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu - elected president of the other group, had resigned as party president last year. He is back to counter Ro Teimumu in the chiefly rivalry.
Holiday Inn group
Ro Teimumu Kepa - Although she holds no position in the party, she is the great stabilizer. She still has a following and brings confidence to the party
Mere Samisoni - One of the party founders. While she is hurt by the split, she is happy that her group will operate on good governance principles
Vijay Singh - The new president has taken SODELPA to a a new level. He is the first Indo Fijian to hold a position and lead the party. He is a great asset.
Emele Duituturaga - She is a champion of democracy and good governance. She is widely respected because of her experience in civil society.
Lynda Tabuya - She has risen in stature in the political arena since she joined the party before the 2018 election. Her public popularity continues to rise.
The Kshatriya Hall group
Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu - He returns from retirement to be president again. He is the group’s trump card in the internal battle because of chiefly influence.
Sitiveni Rabuka - While he is torn between the two sides, his allegiance will always be with his chief, Ratu Naiqama as the paramount chief of Cakaudrove
Adi Litia Qionibaravi - She had been prominent in the introduction of changes In the party including the amended constitution as general secretary
Ro Filipe Tuisawau - He was removed as president and holds no position but he is there to help counter his aunt Ro Teimumu’s influence.
Mosese Bulitavu - He is the foot soldier in the frontline of the trench warfare against political opponents. He had called for Ro Teimumu to step down after the Gaunavinaka Report was exposed.