SODELPA YOUNGER GENERATION READY
LYNDA TABUYA, ASERI RADRODRO, MOSESE BULITAVU, DR RATU ATONIO LALABALAVU, RO FILIPE TUISAWAU. SALOTE RADRODRO JOIN OTHERS OUTSIDE OF PARLIAMENT WAITING IN THE WINGS. That means older leaders like caretaker party leader Sitiveni Rabuka, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, Ro Teimumu Kepa and Adi Litia Qionibaravi would have to make way.
The younger politicians in SODELPA are ready to take over the party’s leadership reins.
They are waiting for the opportunity to do it. And there are no shortage of candidates.
If you look randomly among the sitting members of Parliament, there is a prospective lineup of potential leaders.
Some may be still rough on the edges, but they are undeterred by critics, and press on regardless.
They are motivated by the people that support them. Lynda Tabuya, despite what people inside of the parliamentary caucus think about her, would be one of the front-runners if her supporters have their way. She has the energy, confidence and the resources to pursue her political ambition.
The other prospects are Aseri Radrodro, Mosese Bulitavu, Dr Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu, Ro Filipe Tuisawau and Salote Radrodro, all sitting MPs. There are others waiting on the wings outside of Parliament, Mr Radrodro, despite his opponents in the party, still ranks as one of the strong contenders. His accounting and management background makes him a potential candidate. He is known in the party for his uncompromising stand on compliance in relation to governance issues.
Ro Filipe has got one foot in the door after his election as party president last year. He has been working hard behind the scenes to unite the various factions in the party.
Mosese Bulitavu is one of the most vocal MPs. He is a staunch backer for Mr Rabuka so he will go where Mr Rabuka requires him as part of the Cakaudrove-Bua-Macuata bloc. Dr Ratu Atonio comes out as one of the more moderate politicians in the Opposition ranks. He will be a good leader for SODELPA.
Last but not least is Salote Radrodro. She can ascend to the leadership role if she is more assertive like Ms Tabuya.
In the final analysis it is the candidate that ticks all the boxes in the party’s leadership criteria that will get the nod.
While there is a move to keep Mr Rabuka as party leader, there is an opposing view that a new leader should elected.
Mr Rabuka is strongly backed by the CBM bloc. If he is unable to lead the party into the 2022 election, then the bloc will go for Ro Filipe, Dr Ratu Atonio and Mr Bulitavu.
It is speculated that Mr Rabuka may not contest the 2022 election if he does not remain as leader.
He should not be party leader after the party lost the 2018 General Election but he is carrying on as caretaker party leader by a special dispensation until his successor is elected. That could happen this year, unless there is another plan in the pipeline.