Opposition Whip Lynda Tabuya says the letter written by SODELPA President Ratu Epenisa Cakobau and General Secretary Emele Duituturaga to the Speaker of Parliament regarding the appointment of Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu as Leader of Opposition is inadmissible.
Tabuya has confirmed that she has written to the Speaker Ratu Epeli Nailatikau with the concurrence of Ratu Naiqama to furnish a comprehensive response to the complaint.
She says once Ratu Naiqama’s election as Leader of the Opposition was declared by the Speaker, he may only be removed and replaced by the majority of the SODELPA and NFP members of Parliament.
Tabuya adds the writers of the letter do not constitute majority of SODELPA and NFP Members of Parliament, who have the right under Section 78(4) to inform the Speaker of their decision to remove or replace the Leader of the Opposition.
She says in her view the complaint is misguided due to lack of appreciation of the provisions of the 2013 Constitution, Party Constitution and Parliamentary Standing Orders.
Tabuya also says that the election of the SODELPA Parliamentary Leader is solely a matter for the members of the SODELPA Caucus and not subject to the directive of the Party President or General Secretary.
Earlier,
Majority of the opposition members have to inform the Speaker of Parliament, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau if they want a change in the Leader of Opposition and want another vote to be taken.
Although SODELPA President, Ratu Epenisa Cakobau has written to the Speaker wanting another election for the Opposition Leader to be done, the constitution is clear that if a majority of the members consider that the person who is the Leader of the Opposition should no longer hold the position of the Leader of the Opposition, then they shall inform the Speaker of their decision and they may elect another member of Parliament.
Ratu Epenisa had asked the SODELPA MPs to vote for Party Leader, Viliame Gavoka to be the Opposition Leader.
However 14 MPs voted for Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu to be the Opposition Leader while only 5 MPs voted for Gavoka.
Following this, the SODELPA President wants another election to be held however he needs majority of the SODELPA MPs to agree.
Speaker, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau has only said that a letter has been received from Ratu Epenisa. No further comments have been made.
Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama had said that this is the first time in the Westminster System where the Party Leader is not the Parliamentary Leader or the Opposition Leader.
When asked on this issue, Gavoka said the matter is between the SODELPA President and the Speaker. He says he can only say that the FijiFirst is threatened by SODELPA.
Opposition Leader, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu also says he will not comment as the issue has not been brought up by the SODELPA MPs.
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