SODELPA is yet to confirm to Fijivillage how it will handle the issue regarding the position of Deputy Leader.
Although Rabuka had publicly said that SODELPA President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu is the party’s Deputy Leader, he now says that the official stand of the party is from Ratu Naiqama and General Secretary Adi Litia Qionibaravi.
We have contacted Ratu Naiqama however he put the phone down.
Adi Litia has assured us that an official statement will be sent to us.
We are still waiting for that.
Rabuka says that he will not say anything on the issue.
SODELPA had announced early last month that the party can now have a Deputy Leader and enable acting appointments after they amended the party’s constitution following their Special General Assembly.
The amendments emanated from members request at the Annual General Assembly held in Namoli in June this year where motions were put forward for the appointment of a Deputy Party Leader.
The reason given at the time was that Rabuka has his case in court and SODELPA should have a plan in place and have a Deputy Leader in case Rabuka is ineligible to contest the elections.
SODELPA says a new section has been inserted into the party’s constitution creating the Deputy Party Leader position in a transparent and competitive process to be overseen by the Management Board which will make the appointment.
A new section is also inserted into the party’s constitution empowering the Management Board to make temporary acting appointments if there is a vacancy in any position created under the constitution.
Meanwhile Rabuka’s trial will start in the Suva Magistrates Court on Monday.
