SODELPA President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu has revealed in the party’s Special General Meeting that he wanted to resign after Sitiveni Rabuka was dropped from the party.
He said he stayed with SODELPA because party leader Ro Teimumu Kepa said to him that the Kubuna confederacy was not in the party and what would happen to her if he also steps down from his position.
Ratu Naiqama said Ro Teimumu told him that she is just a woman and this is the men’s responsibility.
He said these words made him stay with SODELPA and go into the elections.
Ratu Naiqama also said that Ro Teimumu had asked him to stand as the President of SODELPA.
He was critical of the name Fijian being used by everyone in the country.
Ratu Naiqama maintained that Fijian is only for the Itaukei because it is in their DNA.
He was also critical of government’s initiatives like the free milk and wheatbix programme and bus fare scheme.
Ratu Naiqama also raised the question on what type of chiefly council they want re-established as SODELPA has been pushing for the re-establishment of the Great Council of Chiefs.
Meanwhile, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu also apologized to those attending the SODELPA Special General Meeting who may be hurt after what he said that resulted in him being suspended from parliament.
Ratu Naiqama also apologized to those who are related to the Speaker of Parliament Doctor Jiko Luveni.
He asked the people present in the meeting if they can forgive him for his actions.
Speaking to more than 100 SODELPA members at Epworth Hall, Ratu Naiqama said that the party’s constitution is written by human beings and can be changed.
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