EXPLAINER
Move to oust Tabuya as Whip fails in SODELPA caucus drama
Lynda Tabuya has survived a new attempt to oust her as SODELPA Opposition Whip in Parliament.
In a caucus drama before the National Budget presentation on Friday, a petition, understood to be signed by ousted party president Ro Filipe Tuisawau, called for her removal.
The rival faction
Ro Filipe represented the majority of MPs in the party’s conservative right wing who previously wanted her out of the party altogether with acting president Vijay Singh because of their support of the moderates in the rival faction. Ms Tabuya and Mr Singh joined SODELPA from the People’s Democratic Party under a deal struck with caretaker party leader Sitiveni Rabuka.
In a surprise twist, Mr Rabuka, who had aligned himself with the right wingers, backed Ms Tabuya and threw out the petition.
The anti-Ms Tabuya mob had proposed Jese Saukuru from the West to replace Ms Tabuya. But it was argued by some MPs who opposed the move that the Whip should be a lawyer and the deputy should have financial background. That was the reason, Aseri Radrodro, a chartered accountant with management experience, was chosen as deputy Whip. It is understood that there was also a move to remove Mr Radrodro because he and Ms Tabuya are in the wrong camp. Mr Saukuru is not a lawyer but a businessman. Mr Rabuka’s decision to support Ms Tabuya is pitched to appeal to the moderates who believe there should be a new party leader to take SODELPA into the 2022 General Election – not Mr Rabuka because he lost the 2018 election and the party constitution stipulates that he should step down just as Ro Teimumu did in 2016 after she lost the 2014 election. Mr Rabuka knows that his right wing MPs will always back him.
Question of loyalty to Rabuka
The question of loyalty to Mr Rabuka was also discussed in the caucus over the split in the party. Some MPs said they went to the Holiday Inn meeting because the only recognised presiding authority, Vijay Singh, was chairing it and they expected Mr Rabuka to be present also. But Mr Rabuka chose to attend the rebel group’s meeting led by Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu at the Khsartiya Hall in Suva.
They said they would support him until the process of selecting a new party leader.
But Mr Rabuka has publicly declared that he wants to lead SODELPA in 2022. After the caucus meeting he posted a statement on Facebook.
He said: “I am committed to unifying my party members and to lead us to victory in the 2022 elections.
I express my gratitude to the 20 SODELPA Members of Parliament for their unanimous support for my continuing as Parliamentary and Party Leader of the Social Democratic Liberal Party.
“The vote of confidence in my leadership is an added boost to my effort to unify and lead SODELPA to victory in 2022. I also received confirmation of support, as Opposition Leader, from the leader of the National Federation Party.”
“The vote of confidence was prompted by a petition from some members of the SODELPA caucus, who wished to reaffirm their support for my leadership. They also sought a review of caucus working arrangements including the whips, membership of committees and the need to improve relations between the caucus and the party office. I have assured caucus that I will carry out a review of working arrangements.
“I take my duty as party leader, and parliamentary leader of SODELPA and Leader of the Opposition with utmost commitment and responsibility. Unity of caucus is crucial to unity within the SODELPA family.
“Caucus also warmly welcomed Mrs Emele Duituturaga-Jale the new SODELPA general secretary. We also briefly reviewed key macroeconomic indicators and budget trends in anticipation of the Budget announcement later this evening.”
Mr Rabuka is strategically positioning him himself by trying to project an image that he is the person who can unite the party. (TOMORROW: Can the conservative right wingers attract the same support if they form a new party?)