BIG STORY
Back to the drawing board for divided, suspended SODELPA
REGISTRAR OF POLITICAL PARTIES MOHAMMED SANEEM READ A LITANY OF BREACHES OF THE SUSPENDED PARTY’S CONSTITUTION THAT LEFT HIM WITH NO OTHER OPTION BUT TO SUSPEND IT It is the culmination of failure to comply with good governance principles that has split the party.
SNemani Delaibatiki
ODELPA’s 60-day suspension as a political party means it is back to the drawing board.
It must show cause during this period why it should not be de-registered. Registrar of Political Parties Mohammed
Saneem read a litany of breaches of the suspended party’s constitution that left him with no other option but to suspend it.
It is the culmination of failure to comply with good governance principles that has split the party.
The shock and dismay shown by members are understandable but any blame rests squarely on the shoulders of the leadership. Those responsible must do the honourable thing, take responsibility and give way to younger new leaders who can take the suspended party into the 2022 election. The suspended party is larger than them and if they have its interests at heart, they will step down.
The existence of different versions of the constitution was simply diabolical and a severe indictment on the leadership because it was the recipe for conflicts and disaster.
It was a ticking time bomb ready to explode.
And when it did, it was difficult to accept it.
Up to yesterday the issue has caused more complication for the suspended party that it has been referred to the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption for investigation.
This comes in the wake of another FICAC investigation into parliamentary allowance claims by MPs including some from the suspended party.
The starting block for the suspended party is to hold its Management Board meeting.
Members of the rival groups must swallow their pride and come together if they want to save the suspended party from de-registration.
The 42 members need to be identified and they should attend the meeting and set in motion the process that will lead to the filling of the vacancies. Injection of new blood to give the suspended party a fresh look and feel is a must. The former officials have lost credibility in light of the governance issues raised by Mr Saneem.
If this path is difficult because of irreconcilable differences then don’t be surprised to see a new party rise from the ruins of suspended SODELPA.
For that to happen it would require some big sacrifices – including MPs of suspended SODELPA willing to forfeit their seats for the remaining two years of the current term of Parliament.