Unhappy Vanua

supporters by surprises. Now they say their support would go to FijiFirst.

Mr Ligairi had campaigned for PA in almost all the villages and communities in the province. He is a former Police officer and cofounder of the Golden Age Survivors – a hub for elderly people in Vanua Levu. He is from Nakama, Macuata.

With Mr Ligairi no longer standing, Ratu Apisai said they could no longer support Rabuka’s party.

About 300 people are under his leadership and he is confident that his people will vote for the ruling party.

“If he’s not chosen then we will vote for FijiFirst,” he said over a phone interview.

Other north provisional candidates include two former SODELPA members – Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu and Dr Atonio Lalabalavu.

Mr Ligairi claimed that the party’s campaign director, Gilbert Vakalalabure, had told him that they assumed he withdrew his candidacy.

Mr Vakalalabure has denied the claims and asked the Fiji Sun to meet him today.

Mr Ligairi also claimed he was not informed that he did not make the final list.

“I think of my supporters,” he wrote in a PA youth chat group group after he broke the news.

Ditoka response

The party’s general secretary, Sakiasi Ditoka, said the decision to drop candidacies was a tough one.

“I really have nothing more to add. I understand where Samu (Samuela) is coming from and the rest of those who did not make it. But these are the decisions that must be made. Tough decisions!”

Rabuka’s response

Mr Rabuka said people were free to make their own choices and vote for whoever they wished to.

“It is unfortunate that we cannot field everybody. We only have 55 lots and Vanua Levu is overcrowded with candidates. We could not accommodate Samu (Mr Ligairi),” he said.

Mr Rabuka confirmed that Mr Ligairi’s financial contributions would be refunded. However, he is confident that they still had the support from there as some party candidates including himself had links to the province.