The Tui Nadi, Ratu Vuniyani Navuniuci, has denied media reports suggesting that he and the Tui Nawaka, Ratu Joeli Bulu, are leaving Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s People’s Alliance Party (PAP) to join the Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA).
Rabuka posted on his Facebook account that these claims were made by Seremaia Tuiteci, the President of the SODELPA Ba/West/Yasawa Constituency and were reported by one media outlet this week.
He says Ratu Navuniuci categorically dismissed the allegations, calling them entirely false and misleading.
The Prime Minister says Ratu Navuniuci said neither he nor Tui Nawaka Ratu Joeli Bulu had expressed any intention to switch political allegiances.
Ratu Navuniuci says neither he nor the Tui Nawaka has expressed any intention or desire to leave their current political affiliations or join SODELPA.
He says these claims are baseless fabrications that misrepresent his position.
Rabuka says Ratu Navuniuci accused Tuiteci of fabricating the story for personal gain, adding that the SODELPA representative’s remarks aimed to manipulate public perception of his political stance, and he further demanded a public apology from Tuiteci for spreading what he called “lies” and attempting to create divisions within the community.
Ratu Navuniuci says as a traditional leader, he is committed to his people, and the Prime Minister’s leadership remains steadfast.
He urges all media outlets and the public to disregard these false claims and ensure the truth is respected.
The Tui Nadi is also calling for accountability from all parties involved, stating that he expects the same level of respect and accountability from others, including Tuiteci.
We had spoken to the Tui Nawaka, Ratu Joeli Bulu earlier this week, who stated that they are staying with the People’s Alliance and there was no plan to move to SODELPA.
