Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka stresses to the public that he stands by his decision to dismiss the Minister for Education, Aseri Radrodro from the Cabinet.
Rabuka says in November last year, he requested SODELPA Leader, Viliame Gavoka to raise the Prime Minister's concern and disappointment with the SODELPA Management Board regarding the failure of Radrodro to comply with the Fiji National University Act in removing the Chairperson and three members of the FNU Council in May 2023 and Radrodro’s failure to comply with legal advice from the Solicitor General for reinstatement of the Chairperson and three members of the FNU Council.
Rabuka says he urged Gavoka to urge the SODELPA Management Board to consider taking action to ensure the unlawful decisions made by Radrodro, are rescinded, as it could invite serious legal consequences for the Coalition Government.
The Prime Minister stresses that Radrodro's dismissal is effective from today and he may no longer exercise the powers and privileges of the Minister for Education while Gavoka assumes the Education portfolio as of today.
He also reminded SODELPA that they must also ensure that the working committee does not exceed its mandate in purporting to exercise powers of the management board as set out in its party constitution.
He also urges all parties involved to conduct themselves with respect for due process and the rule of law as the progress of our great nation depends on their collective commitment to the rule of law and democratic values enshrined in the constitution.
He stresses that after careful consideration of all relevant factors, he will not change his stand regarding Radrodro's dismissal.
While delivering a live address, Rabuka says regarding the dispatch of letters to Radrodro on Friday, he also wants to clarify that his public statement on the dismissal was published only after confirmation of the dispatch of letters to Radrodro, the President and the Speaker of the Parliament on Friday.
He says the Constitution guides his actions, and he remains committed to upholding its principles.
The Prime Minister says his decision was not made lightly and was taken only after due process had been followed.
Rabuka reveals that he had written three letters to Radrodro since September 2023 and held discussions with Deputy Prime Minister and Party Leader of SODELPA Viliame Gavoka in October and then he wrote to Gavoka in early November with a follow up of two letters to Radrodro in December last year.
Rabuka further says he has been advised by Deputy Prime Minister, Manoa Kamikamica that when he was the Acting Prime Minister in May 2023, he requested the Solicitor General to provide him a copy of the legal opinion with regards to the termination of the FNU Chair and Council Members.
Rabuka said Radrodro had been advised to comply with the legal advice from the Solicitor General and he assured the Acting Prime Minister that he would address the issue accordingly. Rabuka says he does not have a direct conduit to SODELPA or its Management Board and the channel of communication is through the Deputy Prime Minister and the SODELPA Party and Parliamentary Leader, Viliame Gavoka.
He also acknowledged the public's understanding and trust that they will navigate these challenges in the best interests of the people of Fiji.
Meanwhile, Rabuka had made it clear on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan in October last year that he will remove Radrodro from cabinet if he continues to refuse to follow his directives.
Earlier:
My loyalty is to Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka and the dream to rebuild Fiji for future generations.
That is the comment of Deputy Prime Minister, Manoa Kamikamica after revelations that the SODELPA Working Group wants Kamikamica to replace Sitiveni Rabuka as Prime Minister.
Kamikamica has told fijivillage News that no one has approached him, and his answer is they have one Prime Minister and Leader of the People's Coalition and People's Alliance, Sitiveni Rabuka.
He stresses he is loyal to the Prime Minister.
The SODELPA Management Board will discuss the options for Kamikamica to become the Prime Minister of the Coalition Government or SODELPA will open the door for negotiations with the FijiFirst Party.
SODELPA General Secretary, Viliame Takayawa Junior confirms to fijivillage News that these are some of the options that will be discussed in the Management Board meeting next Friday.
Takayawa says they are really concerned about the way Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka is handling the coalition, and one of the examples is that they have received no responses for 13 months regarding the concerns raised by SODELPA.
He says there also have been no regular discussions with the coalition partners.
Takayawa says Rabuka is treating SODELPA like some small time cookies.
The SODELPA board executives have also instructed Minister for Education, Aseri Radrodro to remain in his ministry until next Friday for the SODELPA Management Board to hold the meeting and to discuss a few of their resolutions.
Takayawa says as it was like what had happened during the reshuffle of the cabinet last year, Radrodro needs to remain as the Minister for Education until they hold the meeting next Friday.
Takayawa says natural justice is not taking place and it is almost a snap decision to do things without giving a warning or informing the management board that there are some concerns to be looked into.
He says everyone needs to know how the Employment Act works and how actions are being taken.
He further says the party will continue to stand for their ministers and abide by the Fijian constitution.
He adds if this is how the Prime Minister treats a minister then imagine how he can treat any normal person.
Meanwhile Aseri Radrodro says he got a surprise when the letter was released on Friday night by the Prime Minister's Office.
Radrodro says he abides by the SODELPA constitution and whatever the party decides, he will act according to that.
The SODELPA Management Board meeting will be held at the Southern Cross Hotel at 10am next Friday.
Party Leader, Viliame Gavoka is in India.
In a facebook post on Friday night, Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka said Radrodro has been dismissed from Monday for insubordination and disobedience to his directive.
Rabuka has informed President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere and Speaker of Parliament, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu of his decision.
He says with effect from tomorrow, Viliame Gavoka will assume the portfolio as Minister for Education in addition to his responsibilities for Tourism and Civil Aviation.
Takayawa says they only found out about Radrodro's dismissal when it was uploaded on the Fiji Government facebook page.
He says even Radrodro did not know about the dismissal until the post was put up.
Takayawa says if they knew about these insubordination or disobedience issues, they could have helped in resolving the matter.
We have sent questions to Rabuka. He is yet to respond.
The SODELPA Management Board will discuss the options for Deputy Prime Minister, Manoa Kamikamica to become the Prime Minister of the coalition government or SODELPA will open the door for negotiations with the FijiFirst Party.
SODELPA General Secretary, Viliame Takayawa Junior confirms to fijivillage News that these are some of the options that will be discussed in the Management Board meeting next Friday.
Takayawa says they are really concerned about the way Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka is handling the coalition, and one of the examples is that they have received no responses for 13 months regarding the concerns raised by SODELPA.
He says there also have been no regular discussions with the coalition partners.
Takayawa says Rabuka is treating SODELPA like some small time cookies.
The SODELPA board executives have also instructed Minister for Education, Aseri Radrodro to remain in his ministry until next Friday for the SODELPA Management Board to hold the meeting and to discuss a few of their resolutions.
Takayawa says as it was like what had happened during the reshuffle of the cabinet last year, Radrodro needs to remain as the Minister for Education until they hold the meeting next Friday. Takayawa says natural justice is not taking place and it is almost a snap decision to do things without giving a warning or informing the management board that there are some concerns to be looked into.
He says everyone needs to know how the Employment Act works and how actions are being taken.
He further says the party will continue to stand for their ministers and abide by the Fijian constitution.
He adds if this is how the Prime Minister treats a minister then imagine how he can treat any normal person.
Meanwhile Aseri Radrodro says he got a surprise when the letter was released last night by the Prime Minister's Office.
Radrodro says he abides by the SODELPA constitution and whatever the party decides, he will act according to that.
The SODELPA Management Board meeting will be held at the Southern Cross Hotel at 10am next Friday.
Party Leader, Viliame Gavoka is in India.
In a facebook post last night, Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka said Radrodro has been dismissed from Monday for insubordination and disobedience to his directive.
Rabuka has informed President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere and Speaker of Parliament, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu of his decision.
He says with effect from Monday, Viliame Gavoka will assume the portfolio as Minister for Education in addition to his responsibilities for Tourism and Civil Aviation.
Takayawa says they only found out about Radrodro's dismissal when it was uploaded on the Fiji Government facebook page.
He says even Radrodro did not know about the dismissal until the post was put up.
Takayawa says if they knew about these insubordination or disobedience issues, they could have helped in resolving the matter.
We have sent questions to Rabuka and Kamikamica. They are yet to respond.
The SODELPA Board executives have instructed Minister for Education, Aseri Radrodro to remain in his ministry until next Friday for the SODELPA Management Board to hold a meeting and to discuss a few of their resolutions.
While speaking to the media after their executive committee meeting, General Secretary, Viliame Takayawa says as it was like what had happened during the reshuffle of the cabinet last year, Radrodro needs to remain as the Minister for Education until they hold the meeting next Friday.
Takayawa says natural justice is not taking place and it is almost a snap decision to do things without giving a warning or informing the management board that there are some concerns to be looked into.
He says everyone needs to know how the Employment Act works and how actions are being taken.
He further says the party will continue to stand for their ministers and abide by the Fijian constitution.
He adds if this is how the Prime Minister treats a minister then imagine how he can treat any normal person.
Meanwhile Aseri Radrodro says he got a surprise when the letter was released last night by the Prime Minister's Office.
Radrodro says he abides by the SODELPA constitution and whatever the party decides, he will act according to that.
The SODELPA Management Board meeting will be held at the Southern Cross Hotel at 10am next Friday.
Earlier:
SODELPA executives are currently meeting at their headquarters at McGregor Road, Suva after the dismissal of SODELPA MP, Aseri Radrodro as a cabinet minister last night.
Some of the executives attending are the President of the party, Ratu Manoa Roragaca, Vice President, Filimoni Soqeta, Roko Avenito Kolikata, General Secretary, Viliame Takayawa, Minister for iTaukei Affairs, Ifereimi Vasu, Aseri Radrodro and a few other party members.
Party Leader, Viliame Gavoka is in India.
In a facebook post last night, Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka said Radrodro has been dismissed from Monday for insubordination and disobedience to his directive.
Rabuka has informed President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere and Speaker of Parliament, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu of his decision.
He says with effect from Monday, Viliame Gavoka will assume the portfolio as Minister for Education in addition to his responsibilities for Tourism and Civil Aviation.
SODELPA General Secretary, Viliame Takayawa Junior says they only found out about Radrodro's dismissal when it was uploaded on the Fiji Government facebook page.
He says even Radrodro did not know about the dismissal until the post was put up.
Takayawa says they have been trying to get meetings and get clarifications with the other coalition partners for over 5 months.
He says if they knew about these insubordination or disobedience issues, they could have helped in resolving the matter.
We are currently trying to speak to Radrodro.
Stay with us for developments.
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