Bid to Remove Gavoka, Bring Back Ro Teimumu
Before this edition went to press on Friday night, SODELPA general secretary Lenaitasi Duru, was informed that a motion would be made to remove Viliame Gavoka as party leader.
The motion would be raised during the party’s annual general meeting (AGM) at Sila Village hall in Cuvu, Nadroga, on Saturday.
He said according to the party constitution all motions were to be received by the Management Board at least two months prior to the date of the AGM.
“However, the motion may still be tabled at the General Assembly meetings on the approval of the Chairperson only for urgent unforeseen matters,” Mr Duru said.
“We have heard that there were people in the party that wanted Na Marama (Ro Teimumu) to stand in the General Election and to replace the party leader,” Mr Duru said.
“Na Marama has not yet applied to stand for the General Election so there is no entry via traditional means and she has to follow proper party procedures.
“The selection process of the party leader is very clear in the constitution.”
The move comes as many SODELPA Members of Parliament and supporters have openly expressed their concerns over Mr Gavoka’s leadership.
An MP who was open about this was Mosese Bulitavu who last year called for his resignation.
Meanwhile, Ro Teimumu was also the former leader of SODELPA and the first Fijian woman to serve as Leader of Opposition.
In our analytical report on Friday, the Marama Bale na Roko Tui Dreketi, paramount chief of Rewa and the Burebasaga Confederacy had succumbed to pressure and decided to put on hold her retirement plan to contest the election.