iTaukei extremism concerns chiefs
The country’s highest ranking chiefs are concerned with the rise in iTaukei extremist views.
The concern was raised in a frank and candid discussion between Ro Teimumu Kepa, Ratu Epenisa Cakobau and Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu at Ratu Naiqama’s residence in Delainavesi near Lami on Saturday.
There was no official statement but the concern is shared not only by them but many from within the ranks of a suspended SODELPA of which they belong to.
The concern is more serious in the Rewa, Tailevu and Naitasiri provinces plus the West side of Viti Levu whose people have featured prominently in past coups and the subsequent political upheavals. Ro Teimumu is the Gone Marama Bale na Roko Tui Dreketi, paramount chief of Rewa Province and the Burebasaga Confederacy covering a large area from Rewa including Suva, Serua, Namosi, Nadroga, Navosa, Nadi, Lautoka, Ba, Tavua and parts of Ra. Bau chief Ratu Epenisa is tipped to be the next Vunivalu, the paramount chief of the Kubuna Confederacy which includes Tailevu. Naitasiri, most of Ra and Lomaiviti.
Ratu Naiqama is the Tui Cakau, the paramount chief of Cakaudrove and the Tovata Confederacy which covers Vanua Levu, Taveuni and Lau.
It is understood that Ro Teimumu and Ratu Epenisa, who belong to suspended SODELPA’s Holiday Inn faction led by Vijay Singh initiated the meeting. Ratu Naiqama leads as president of the rival faction that met separately at the Khsartiya Hall.
The chiefs were concerned that the split in SODELPA (in suspension) and the political fallout would damage the vanua and create instability.
It is understood that Ratu Epenisa and Ro Teimumu were concerned about how their people were used in the past by some leaders for their own political agenda and the political unrest that happened. They did not want to see that happen again. Ratu Naiqama’s group consists of some right wing conservatives who push a pro-indigenous policy to the point that they do not accept lawyer Vijay Singh as the recognised interim leader of suspended SODELPA.
He had backed Mr Singh as vicepresident against an iTaukei candidate nominated by Naitasiri in the annual general meeting two years ago at Namoli Village, Lautoka. He had spoken then about the importance of showing a multiracial image. But when he came out of retirement and made himself available to oppose Mr Singh it raised eyebrows.
Ratu Naiqama rose to prominence in the 2000 coup by George Speight which he and his Conservative Alliance Matanitu Vanua supported. He was briefly jailed for leading the takeover of the Sukanaivalu Military Barracks. That history followed him when he joined the Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua (SDL) Government led by the late Laisenia Qarase and later SODELPA.
If anyone can defuse the tension in SODELPA (in suspension), he is the person. It is understood that was the reason Ro Teimumu and Ratu Epensisa went to meet with him.