SODELPA Leader Aseri Radrodro has confirmed that the individuals who were sent by the party's Management Board went off script during their submission to the Parliamentary Special Committee on the Constitution (Amendment) Bill on Friday.
He says they are devastated and disappointed by the submission, as they have all worked tirelessly to ensure Fiji regains its status as a country for all.
Radrodro says the individuals sent to make their submission went off script and spoke out of turn, which is completely unacceptable.
He adds that these remarks are solely the personal views of the two gentlemen who spoke and must not in any way be taken as SODELPA's policy position.
The Party Leader says he has clarified with the party president and the general secretary today that the Management Board did not endorse raising the subject of freehold land at the special parliamentary committee hearing on the draft Constitution.
He says their actual position on Bill 32 has already been formally sent to the Prime Minister, covering eight key issues.
He says they want discussions on the Constitution and the country's laws to be meaningful for all citizens, including their supporters.
He also says shifting the goalposts in this manner is deeply regrettable and should never have occurred.
Issuing an apology to the people of Fiji, Radrodro says the people deserve clarity and leadership they can trust.
He says they are aware of the considerable concern this matter has caused, and they have received calls from within the SODELPA support base, including from their provisional candidates, raising concerns and calling for disciplinary action to be taken.
Radrodro is assuring party members and supporters that any concerns or matters arising from this incident will be addressed internally, in accordance with the provisions and processes of the party's constitution.
He says some may think this trial will cause them to back away, but SODELPA, as a party, will learn from this experience and forge ahead.
As Party Leader, Radrodro says he is not here to deflect responsibility.
He says he and the management recognise that they must be more inclusive and rigorous in ensuring responsible official representation for the party.
He further says that, in many ways, what is happening now is a necessary catalyst as they make their team lean, unified and disciplined to speak with one voice.
The Party Leader says they are a party that will be decisive when they encounter storms, and though the winds may howl, they see this moment not as their breaking point, but as their renewal.
He adds that out of this pain, a stronger, more powerful dawn is rising, one where they stand together, shoulder to shoulder, unwavering in their commitment to protect the rights of indigenous people while uplifting the security, dignity and dreams of every single citizen in Fiji.
He hopes he has addressed the people's concerns and that the nation can now move forward.
Radrodro says SODELPA has always been the party that belongs to the people, and they will continue to be that.
