Chiefs Again Take Centre Stage in SODELPA Crisis
The entry of Bau Chief Ratu Epenisa Cakobau into the forefront of Fijian politics is significant.
It now means that the three highest ranking chiefs in the country are involved in active politics.
It is significant because Ratu Epenisa, the heir apparent to the Vunivalu, paramount chief of the Kubuna Confederacy, his close ally Ro Teimumu Kepa, the Marama Bale na Roko Tui Dreketi or paramount chief of Rewa and Burebasaga and Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, the Tui Cakau and paramount chief of Cakaudrove and the Tovata Confederacy have now dragged in their respective Vanua and subjects into national politics
The purists who champion democracy talk about the doctrine of the separation of power - that chiefs and politics cannot mix - that they should not use their traditional authority and influence to garner support.
The maverick and ultra nationalist the late Sakesi Butadroka once said chiefs should not be involved in the no holds barred world of politics because it would demean the revered nature of the chiefly institution which could lose its respect and dignity.
Chiefs, since Independence, have ignored this call. They have shown that in the leadership context, they cannot separate politics and their traditional role because they are connected on many fronts, including development,
Ratu Epenisa, Ro Teimumu and
Ratu Naiqama are not going to buck the trend.
They also know that as part of our political evolution their people are aware that in the exercise of their democratic rights they can choose not to vote for their chiefs in an election. But it may not necessarily diminish their traditional allegience or loyalty to their chiefs. It demonstrates that people have the capacity to separate the chiefly system and the Vanua from politics. They can vote against them in an election but support them in their traditional obligations.
In the 2018 General Election, Ratu
Naiqama polled only 2168 votes out of the 30,919 party votes in the Notthern Division, his power base, 67,255 party votes in the Central Division and the total party votes of 181,072 from all divisions. He scored the second last number of votes in SODELPA’s pecking order, 1.20 per cent of the total party votes. Many of his votes did not come from his traditional base in Vanua Levu but in the Central Division.
In the context of traditional support that’s a miserly poll result for a high chief. It would have been more embarrassing if he had not won his seat. His traditional jurisdiction covers the Northern Division and Lau. The fact was it did not translate into votes.
One important implication of the three high chiefs In active politics is that they are divided - Ratu Epenisa and Ro Teimumu with the moderates against Ratu Naiqama leading the conservative right wingers.
What remains to be seen is the collective impact they would have on the political scene. The worry is that the rivalry could lead to extremism.