Methodist Church is a campaign mouth for SODELPA - PM

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has stressed that the iTaukei in Fiji have not been victimised by the government and he also says that the Methodist Church of Fiji is a campaign mouth for SODELPA.

During a heated debate in parliament, Bainimarama said that lies are being spread by the opposition and others like the Methodist Church that the iTaukei are being victimised under the constitution.

He says this is totally incorrect as the iTaukei own about 92% of the land in Fiji.

Bainimarama says that there is no review process under the constitution after SODELPA MP Mosese Bulitavu asked the Prime Minister if the 2013 constitution will be reviewed by parliament.

The Prime Minister says what the constitution provides for is the process for amendments to be made to the constitution.

SODELPA MP Niko Nawaikula then claimed that the real constitution was burnt.

He later withdrew his comment when Bainimarama asked him to provide evidence of this in parliament.

Nawaikula then said that iTaukei rights were removed however Bainimarama stressed that the 2013 constitution provides the highest level of protection and rights to the iTaukei.

Bainimarama reiterated that the Methodist Church is campaigning for SODELPA and stresses that these groups are spreading lies to the people.

Methodist Church General Secretary Reverend Doctor Epineri Vakadewavosa says he will comment later this afternoon.

According to information received by Fijivillage, the Methodist Church in Fiji has asked the government not to enact proposed village by laws, the Great Council of Chiefs to be reinstated and Fiji to be made a Christian State.

The five point submission put up by the church’s standing committee also want immediate open consultation with the Itaukei along with the removal of 17 decrees and policies which the church claims breach ILO Convention 169 and the UN Declaration on the rights of the indigenous people.

The Methodist Church also wants an extended timeline to review the proposed village by laws and review the 2013 Constitution.

They are again calling for the review of the constitution and also want Fiji to be a Christian state, in accordance with the clear stipulations of the Deed of Cession, and the wishes of the chiefs and people of Fiji, as expressed in the “Wakaya Letter.”