Party Head Faces Major Test
Bau chief Ratu Epenisa Cakobau faces his first big test as SODELPA president today.
That’s when he chairs the party’s Working Committee meeting which will review in a new dispute that features the two factions - the moderates and the conservative right wing.
The committee’s findings and recommendations will go to the Management Board which will make the final decision.
The row is over the recent annual general meeting of the Ba West Constituency Council meeting at Narewa, Nadi.
Member of Parliament Ro Filipe Tuisawau and Tui Nadi Ratu Vuniyani Navuniuci have lodged a dispute with party headquarters. When contacted, general secretary Emele Duituturaga said the issue had been referred to the committee.
Ratu Epenisa’s big test is whether he will follow the provisions of the party constitution. It means he must be seen to be fair in upholding the principles of good governance which has been the catchcry of his moderates camp.
Ro Filipe, a Rewa chief and Ratu Vuniyani, right wingers and chiefs in their own right, have raised some serious allegations that need to be sorted out urgently. The issues, if unresolved, could exacerbate the bitter rivalry between the two factions.
Intense Discussions
Intense discussions are expected, but all eyes will be on Ratu Epenisa to do what is right for the party to avoid it coming under scrutiny again by the Registrar of Political Parties, Mohammed Saneem. Constitutional breaches led to the temporary suspension of the party. It was lifted after the breaches were remedied.
Ba West was one of the seven constituency councils in the West that held their annual general meetings recently.
The then sitting officials, who are aligned to the conservative right wing, were replaced by new officials who are moderates. The AGMs, likened to the primaries in the United States presidential election, were described as a battle of wits.
The moderates surprised the right wingers and turned the West into a battleground with their strategy and gained significant inroads into the stronghold of the right wingers.
Ro Filipe and Ratu Vuniyani have cried foul and called for a stay in the ratification of the Ba West election outcome.
What the moderates say
The moderates say it’s sour grapes because the election
complied with the party constitution. The factor that clinched it for them was the advocacy that the West should be represented by their own people with a strong voice in SODELPA’s decision-making. The controversy in the Lautoka Urban Constituency Council is over the alleged action of its president Tevita Komaisavai, a right winger and originally from Viwa in Tailevu. He did not recognise the newlyformed Namoli Village Branch because the constituency is only for urban dwellers even though the village is adjacent to city central. It led to the walkout of the village chief, Taukei Vidilo, and his 40 strong people including former Fijian rugby international Viliame Satala.
That incident has resurrected an old crusade for the West to have a stronger voice and representation in national affairs. In the context of SODELPA the movement wants West people, not outsiders, to decide what’s best for them.
In the case of Ba West the ousted president Ilaitia Bavadra is from Vuda near Lautoka. He and the entire set of officials have been replaced by moderates Ratu Josefa Vatunitu (president), vice-president Meli Tora and general secretary Ben Daveta, whose position in the Opposition Office was recently terminated.
In his grievance correspondence to party HQ he warned of instability in the Ba West Constituency. He claimed “there is a general unease within the manner in which some Constituency Councils AGM and Branch formations have been conducted recently”.
Complaints and questions from his groups are as follows:
1) Disregard of elected MPs and lack of co-ordination- planned, deliberate?
2) Disregard of Vanua
3) Misleading information leading to confusion at ground level and waste of time and loss of trust/ party credibility.
4) Disregard and usurping current constituency officials
5) Confusion on validity of current officials - i.e endorsed from last board
6) Perceived collusion and bias from HQ
7) Individuals accompanying HQ around country; ethics and official status
8) Is current leadership in control of SODELPA (HQ etc) on a set agenda to dominate and eliminate?
“All the above is leading to serious questions from our supporters about the viability of SODELPA as a staying power to win in 2022, “Ro Filipe said.
“I have been asked by the Turaga Tui Nadi to convey to attached letters for your serious consideration as soon as possible to be addressed by the Board Working Committee. Right now the viability of SODELPA in Ba West and Ba Province is under serious threat after debacle of the Ba West meeting in Narewa. “Given what has transpired and continued political repercussions in coming days, my strong recommendation as per Tui Nadi and former Ba West VP suggestion is as follows:
1) Stay the purported Ba West AGM held Thursday 10 September (Why hold this as board prior to SGM was for two years)
2) Ilaitia Bavadra to remain as Ba West rep to board
3) Bavadra as president, VP Isaia Vuki as VP and secretary S Tuidraki to convene Ba West meetings as necessary.
The desperation in the tone of the correspondence came in the wake of the right wingers’ realisation that the control of the West is slipping from their grip.
It also highlights that behind all this constituency council drama is the battle to dominate and control the Management Board, the party’s governing body.
Each constituency will have a delegate to the board which makes final decision on matters including the appointment of a new party leader in November.
The right wingers are backing incumbent Sitiveni Rabuka with Ro Filipe, his running mate, hoping to be his deputy if his bid for the top job fails. Opposing them are moderates MP Viliame Gavoka, former general secretary Pio Tabaiwalu and deputy Opposition Whip Aseri Radrodro.
Ro Filipe’s email was copied to the leader of the right wingers, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu (vice president), Ratu Epenisa (moderate), Ro Teimumu Kepa (vice president, moderate), Mr Rabuka (Right winger) and Ms Duituturaga (moderate). So the stage is set for a testy Working Committee meeting and the spotlight is on Ratu Epenisa.