SODELPA and Radrodro write to PM to reinstate Minister for Education

SODELPA Party and its MP Aseri Radrodro have written to the Prime Minister’s Office asking for the reinstatement of Radrodro as the Minister for Education.

The letter also consists of the correspondence in regards to the appointment of the Fiji National University Council.

Radrodro says he acted on the advice of the Solicitor General and not on the advice of the Prime Minister.

While speaking to the media at the SODELPA Headquarters in Suva, Radrodro says the advice from the Solicitor General's office is mandated by law, and the appointment of the FNU Council is done according to the FNU Act.

Radrodro also claims during the press conference that there were communication issues, which resulted in the Prime Minister not knowing what had truly transpired.

The former Minister for Education says the FNU Council that was removed was reinstated on 14th September 2023.

Meanwhile, SODELPA General Secretary Viliame Takayawa says from the messages they received, it is evident that the Prime Minister has lost control of his office, and the correspondence sent to his office has neither been acknowledged nor responded to.

He says after the SODELPA statement on Friday, they received an overwhelming number of calls and messages from high-profile People’s Alliance supporters, public servants, and MPs who wish to stay anonymous supporting their call for the PM to step down.

Takayawa says SODELPA has written several letters to the PM over the last six months with no response, and just this morning, the party received its only second correspondence in the last 13 months regarding Aseri Radrodro’s dismissal statement by the PM that was aired via the Government facebook page.

He adds when the Office of the Prime Minister made the call to reshuffle the cabinet, due process was not followed and a similar situation occurred again.

The SODELPA General Secretary says this type of leadership is unsuitable and eventually not only SODELPA but the public will have to say enough is enough.

Takayawa says the People’s Alliance management board and the MPs need to take control of the situation before further damage is caused by the Prime Minister’s Office and there is no point in airing his discontent behind closed doors when he can see what is unfolding in front of his eyes.

He adds Fiji deserves a stable united government, and SODELPA has been committed to this from day 1 in accordance with the Coalition Agreement.

He further adds the Prime Minister has been manipulating the agreement in its favour when it suits them, and this is not suitable.

He also stressed that their support for the coalition government is intact.

The SODELPA Management Board will meet this Friday at 10am at the Southern Cross Hotel to deliberate on the coalition agreement and the dismissal of Radrodro.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka stresses to the public that he stands by his decision to dismiss the Minister for Education, Aseri Radrodro from 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 the 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 would remove Radrodro from cabinet if he continued to refuse to follow his directives.