THE SIX CONTENDERS FOR SODELPA PARTY LEADERSHIP RACE:
Kepa, Rabuka, Kubuabola, Jale, Baba and Saukuru
LAST year the former coupist, prime minister and SVT party leader SITIVENI RABUKA had thrown his hat into the ring to become the new SODELPA leader.
Now, it emerges that Rabuka was cruelly betrayed by his own new found party of choice - SODELPA. What has also emerged, supported by Sodelpa Management Board documents, is evidence that Ro Kepa's application for party leader arrived after the closing date.
She could not meet the deadline because of alleged financial difficulties which a leading party supporter reportedly resolved on her behalf.
The then Sodelpa party president Ratu Silivenusi Waqausa decided to widen the candidacy net and extended the time line after the application for party leader was closed to allegedly accommodate Ro Kepa. Waqausa, who is from Bau, has traditional ties with Ro Kepa.
The applications that arrived on time were that of Sitiveni Rabuka, Ratu Meli Saukuru, Tupeni Baba, Ratu Jone Kubuabola and Anare Jale.
Now, it emerges that Rabuka was cruelly betrayed by his own new found party of choice - SODELPA. What has also emerged, supported by Sodelpa Management Board documents, is evidence that Ro Kepa's application for party leader arrived after the closing date.
She could not meet the deadline because of alleged financial difficulties which a leading party supporter reportedly resolved on her behalf.
The then Sodelpa party president Ratu Silivenusi Waqausa decided to widen the candidacy net and extended the time line after the application for party leader was closed to allegedly accommodate Ro Kepa. Waqausa, who is from Bau, has traditional ties with Ro Kepa.
The applications that arrived on time were that of Sitiveni Rabuka, Ratu Meli Saukuru, Tupeni Baba, Ratu Jone Kubuabola and Anare Jale.
The Selection Panel team Waqausa, Adi Litia Qionibaravi and former prime minister Laisenia Qarase were the panel of selectors.
The rest is history. A sustained campaign, led by Sodepla's youth and women's wings, was launched against Rabuka which saw his hopes dashed for any prominent or constructive role in the party.
Waqausa than called Adi Litia, Savenaca Kamikamica and two other Sodelpa members to meet him at the Fiji Club. During the meeting Waqausa allegedly informed Adi Litia that he had talked with the rest of the applicants and "they have voluntarily withdrawn their applications to allow Ro Kepa to be party leader, except Anare Jale".
Waqausa asked Kamikamica to facilitate a veisorosorovi with Jale's Nasinu constituency for Ro Kepa to ask Jale to withdraw. "If Jale was withdrawing or not he still would not stand because of the residency stand down period."
This was how Ro Kepa, according to Fijileaks sources, became SODELPA party leader. "No transparent interview that was to be merit based just vakavanua style".
After elections, the CBM MP's were hosted by Rabuka and another former MP for a grog session to congratulate the newly elected MPs. During the grog session, Rabuka asked Anasa Vocea (who was managing SODELPA campaign and candidate application with Election Office) why he was removed as candidate for SODELPA? Vocea allegedly claimed that Waqausa was the person selecting the party leader and the party decided who was on the final list.
Those present at this gathering have informed Fijileaks that Rabuka said the party never wrote back to him on their decision on party leader and only announced its support on the protest which GS (Tabaiwalu) was fully endorsing in the media release.
The sources claim other financial irregularities occurred after Ro Kepa became leader, which will be subject of further investigation by Fijileaks.
This will, however, be a matter put on the floor by CBM SODELPA at this Saturday's annual general meeting before motions on party constitution and party vice-president will be moved. CBM SODELPA will move Rabuka to be vice-president, for his membership was reactivated on 15/06/2015 with SODELPA Cakaudrove constituency receipt Number 020301.
Fijileaks could not obtain comments on the above allegations.
The rest is history. A sustained campaign, led by Sodepla's youth and women's wings, was launched against Rabuka which saw his hopes dashed for any prominent or constructive role in the party.
Waqausa than called Adi Litia, Savenaca Kamikamica and two other Sodelpa members to meet him at the Fiji Club. During the meeting Waqausa allegedly informed Adi Litia that he had talked with the rest of the applicants and "they have voluntarily withdrawn their applications to allow Ro Kepa to be party leader, except Anare Jale".
Waqausa asked Kamikamica to facilitate a veisorosorovi with Jale's Nasinu constituency for Ro Kepa to ask Jale to withdraw. "If Jale was withdrawing or not he still would not stand because of the residency stand down period."
This was how Ro Kepa, according to Fijileaks sources, became SODELPA party leader. "No transparent interview that was to be merit based just vakavanua style".
After elections, the CBM MP's were hosted by Rabuka and another former MP for a grog session to congratulate the newly elected MPs. During the grog session, Rabuka asked Anasa Vocea (who was managing SODELPA campaign and candidate application with Election Office) why he was removed as candidate for SODELPA? Vocea allegedly claimed that Waqausa was the person selecting the party leader and the party decided who was on the final list.
Those present at this gathering have informed Fijileaks that Rabuka said the party never wrote back to him on their decision on party leader and only announced its support on the protest which GS (Tabaiwalu) was fully endorsing in the media release.
The sources claim other financial irregularities occurred after Ro Kepa became leader, which will be subject of further investigation by Fijileaks.
This will, however, be a matter put on the floor by CBM SODELPA at this Saturday's annual general meeting before motions on party constitution and party vice-president will be moved. CBM SODELPA will move Rabuka to be vice-president, for his membership was reactivated on 15/06/2015 with SODELPA Cakaudrove constituency receipt Number 020301.
Fijileaks could not obtain comments on the above allegations.
From Fijileaks Archive:
His political fate was sealed, and gave fuel to his opponents, when party leader Ro Teimumu Kepa herself, on 15 April, vehemently objected to Rabuka's membership of the party, citing his treasonous coups of 1987. Fair enough but what about the former convict Tui Cakau, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, who fiercely lobbied for Rabuka to represent Sodelpa from Cakaudrove!
Sitiveni Rabuka has apologized for his 1987 coups and gave to Fiji, along with Jai Ram Reddy, the negotiated 1997 Constitution of Fiji, unlike the present lot who are holding election under their imposed 2013 Constitution and Decrees.
Good luck to Major-General Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka, who reminds us: “Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future.”
Oddly, while the party is exhibiting a moral high ground against coups (Rabuka) it has no qualm in taking on Frank Bainimarama at the polls. They would have earned respect if they had boycotted the election on the grounds that by not participating in the election they are not legitimizing Bainimarama's treasonous coup.
Sitiveni Rabuka has apologized for his 1987 coups and gave to Fiji, along with Jai Ram Reddy, the negotiated 1997 Constitution of Fiji, unlike the present lot who are holding election under their imposed 2013 Constitution and Decrees.
Good luck to Major-General Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka, who reminds us: “Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future.”
Oddly, while the party is exhibiting a moral high ground against coups (Rabuka) it has no qualm in taking on Frank Bainimarama at the polls. They would have earned respect if they had boycotted the election on the grounds that by not participating in the election they are not legitimizing Bainimarama's treasonous coup.
http://www.fijileaks.com/home/sodelpas-vengeful-hounding-of-coupist-sitiveni-rabuka-will-backfire-as-mick-beddoes-waqavonovono-et-al-and-womens-wing-claim-scalp
http://www.fijileaks.com/home/former-opposition-leader-mick-beddoes-response-to-sitiveni-rabukas-claims-that-his-recent-opinion-piece-was-responsible-for-rabukas-difficulties-with-sodelpa
http://www.fijileaks.com/home/sodelpas-puritanical-democracy-stance-under-stress-mick-beddoes-legitimate-questions-puts-fellow-party-member-rabuka-in-tight-corner
http://www.fijileaks.com/home/former-opposition-leader-mick-beddoes-response-to-sitiveni-rabukas-claims-that-his-recent-opinion-piece-was-responsible-for-rabukas-difficulties-with-sodelpa
http://www.fijileaks.com/home/sodelpas-puritanical-democracy-stance-under-stress-mick-beddoes-legitimate-questions-puts-fellow-party-member-rabuka-in-tight-corner
