Emails show Up Lynda

Fiji Sun has emails from within SODELPA revealing MP reserved right to sue

Afew members of SODELPA’s Management Board yesterday released emails to the Fiji Sun, proving Lynda Tabuya’s threat to take legal action against party executives.

When this newspaper initially revealed details of the meeting, the Deputy Leader contender released a statement a day later, “categorically denying” her intentions to sue.

This prompted members of the board to reach out to the Fiji Sun with emails of the exchange that took place.

Discussions between Ms Tabuya and the executives began on September 17, 2020 when she emailed the outcome of the September 16, Nasinu Constituency annual general meeting to party General Secretary, Emele Duituturaga.

The next day, Ms Duituturaga informed her that they had received a number of complaints, which she said, “impinge on constitutional compliance” and questioned the

integrity and validity of the Nasinu Constituency elections.

On September 22, Ms Tabuya was informed that the complaints were brought to the attention of the Working Committee, which was held the day before and that a subcommittee would meet on the 23rd to review the complaints.

The committee’s decision to nullify the AGM was then communicated to her on the 24th.

In her response to the decision, Ms Tabuya pointed out the grievance procedure in the party’s Constitution and stated that the Working Committee does not have the power to address grievances, only the management board.

“The Working Committee has NO authority to make a decision to declare the AGM of Nasinu null and void,” she said via the email.

“Furthermore, under Section 13.2 of the constitution, only the Management Board has the power to delegate to a committee its powers. So your independent committee is unconstitutional as the working committee has no power to create a committee.”

She said the constituency was not formally informed about the complaints nor were they given the opportunity to respond.

“The results of the elections of SODELPA Nasinu stands unless the Management Board decides otherwise. Therefore I declare your decision null and void,” she stated.

“I reserve my right to take legal action against the Executive.”