Land Force Commander and senior member of the military council, Colonel Mosese Tikoitoga said the cancellation of the Methodist Church conference will not have any negative international repercussion.
Colonel Tikoitoga said the government and the military is working in the direction to have a peaceful and safe country for the people of Fiji and it will not be derailed by anyone.
Colonel Tikoitoga said there needs to be a change in the mindset in the senior officials of the Methodist Church and at the same time some senior executives need to be changed.
Colonel Tikoitoga reveals that the Methodist Church conference has been cancelled because the Church President, Reverend Ame Tugaue and General Secretary, Reverend Tuikilakila Waqairatu do not want to step down from their positions.
He stresses that there will be no forward movement in relation to this issue until some executives of the church change.
Colonel Tikoitoga said he met with church executives, Reverend Waqairatu, Reverend Tevita Nawadra and Reverend Apete Toko at Queen Elizabeth Barracks in Nabua last night.
He said former President, Reverend Josateki Koroi was also invited to the meeting however he did not attend.
The Land Force Commander said some of the reasons why they want the two executives to step down are that the two are facing charges of breaching the Public Emergency Regulation in court and they are allegedly involved in politics.
He said the military was of the view that the executives would take the high moral ground and step down but this has not happened as they said that they believe everyone is innocent until proven guilty.
Colonel Tikoitoga said they have an indication that Tugaue wanted to step down however Waqairatu refused to take that step.
Colonel Tikoitoga said their intention to meet at QEB last night was genuine.
Meanwhile some of the conference delegates held a church service at the Centenary Church in Suva this morning.
They have been formally informed that the conference has been cancelled.
Military spokesperson, Lt Colonel Neumi Leweni confirmed that the church will only have a farewell service for their delegates tonight.
He confirmed that there will be no induction service for the executives.
Story by: Vijay Narayan and Sofaia Koroitanoa
Feature
Cancellation of Church conference will not have any negative international repercussion
