Social Democratic Liberal Party member Lynda Tabuya says she walked out of the party’s management board meeting yesterday because the party was playing the vanua card in politics.
She said this as she accused party president Ratu Epenisa Cakobau of misusing his role as a paramount chief when he disallowed discussions on allegations about Mr Gavoka and party general secretary Lenaitasi Duru in a recent case involving controversial MP Mosese Bulitavu.
“We are supposed to be separate,” she said. “And politics is about good governance and the vanua compliments good governance.
But if you bring in the vanua to excuse the bad behaviour of our leaders, then you are abusing the vanua.”
She also claimed Ratu Epenisa refused to entertain discussion on allegations about Mr Duru’s contract and increase in remuneration from $27,000 to $35,000.
“He blocked the motions and he ended the meeting abruptly. No one is above the party. We are here for our voters and need to be treated equally.”
In response, party leader Viliame Gavoka said the vanua card was not being used.
“She (Ms Tabuya) is a very modern woman but for Fiji, you need to balance modernism and traditions,” he said.
“That is why I’ve always tried to support her because there are concerning developments within the vanua that do not always see her in the correct light.”
When questioned on the allegations, Mr Gavoka said the allegations against him and Mr Duru would be investigated by an independent committee.
“We will have another meeting around January and we will bring in the reports.”
