SODELPA MP, Mosese Bulitavu has confirmed that he cast his vote as the Macuata MP for the Turaga Na Tui Macuata, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere to represent the wishes of those that had sent Bulitavu to Parliament both in 2014 and 2018.
Bulitavu says he had made his stance in the SODELPA Caucus meeting this morning that he will vote for his chief and for the Vanua o Caumatalevu.
He says he had consulted the Vanua leaders and the Macuata SODELPA Constituency Council yesterday.
Bulitavu says they all supported the Gone Turaga Na Tui Macuata, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere to be nominated as the President of Fiji.
The SODELPA MP says it was a secret ballot to vote for the President-elect and his vote was based on the Vanua o Caumatalevu consensus and he acted as their loyal representative.
He says there was no party directive and they had to make their own judgement in a secret ballot.
Bulitavu says the party caucus had it’s stance but his reason was that the Vanua that voted him through the SODELPA ticket have called him to vote for the Turaga Na Tui Macuata.
The Turaga Na Tui Macuata, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere is Fiji’s new President after he received majority votes in parliament today.
Ratu Wiliame was nominated by Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama while Opposition Whip, Lynda Tabuya nominated SODELPA MP and Marama Na Roko Tui Dreketi, Ro Teimumu Kepa for the President’s post.
Ratu Wiliame got 28 votes while Ro Teimumu got 23 votes in the parliamentary vote.
Speaker of Parliament, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau conveyed Parliament’s congratulations to Ratu Wiliame after his appointment as the next President.
Ratu Wiliame Katonivere is the first President of the country who hails from the Macuata Province.
He is the former President of the FijiFirst and former Chairman of the Pine Group of Companies which includes Fiji Pine Limited, Tropik Wood Industries Limited and Tropik Wood Products Limited.
Ratu Wiliame is also a former board member for Fiji Airports, Fiji Sugar Corporation and Rewa Rice Limited.
He officially takes up the President’s post from next month.
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