Power Struggle, ‘Gang Mentality’ Led To Internal Squabble: MP

Internal squabbles within SODELPA was because of a clash of political ideologies from members who joined from other political parties.

In her maiden speech in Parliament, newly-sworn in MP Mere Naulumatua said there was constant power struggle in SODELPA because new members had tried to coup the control of SODELPA by ousting former leader Ro Teimumu Kepa in 2015.

“In fact, they succeeded, as we all know, and took the party to elections in 2018 whereby they had by then managed to recruit candidates who would be loyal to their leadership,” Ms Naulumatua said.

“Our people will remember, as a result, all the arguments on the use of Government grant and the many other upheavals in SODELPA where the constitution of the party was disregarded.”

She said this was due to the rise in ‘gang mentality’ in SOLDEPA.

“Ultimately, we all know the result of such undemocratic and conniving politics,” she said.

“Those same people have either left SODELPA to join the newly established party under the leader that tried to coup SODELPA,

or they will join him soon.

“Time will bear testament, to nasty dirty politics that is not people-centric, but to focus on individual power struggles.”

It was imperative, she said, for senior citizens like herself to point out such evil intentions that Fiji’s future generations must be weary of and learn from.

“Those who engage in such unprincipled politics take our people’s votes for granted, and they bear no allegiance to our nation and its needs, but their own selfish needs and their kind,” she said.

“Such people must be denounced for who they are because they are certainly not leaders, as they do not set good examples for our young people to follow.

“Instead, they teach our future leaders the art of stealing, of conniving, of cronyism and nepotism. And there is no end to the nasties they create in the wake of their departure.”

She said it was only a matter of time when people would see these elements squabbling for positions in the new party and SODELPA would have the last laugh.