A call made by the Social Democratic Liberal Party president Ratu Epenisa Cakobau to appoint a new leader of Opposition will now be considered invalid, says Opposition whip and SODELPA MP Lynda Tabuya.
Ms Tabuya also confirmed that Ratu Epenisa was challenging the caucus decision to appoint Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu as the Opposition Leader.
She said there was no directive from the party for members to vote for their party leader Viliame Gavoka.
“There was no directive” she said.
“Ratu Epenisa at the caucus meeting stated that it was a guide only.”
She said the letter was suggesting for Mr Gavoka to be the Opposition Leader but the caucus conducted the election after the party president left.
Ms Tabuya also clarified Section 63(1) of the Fijian Constitution.
The section states that the seat of a Member of Parliament becomes vacant if the member votes or abstains from voting in Parliament contrary to any direction issued by the political party for which he or she was a candidate.
“Section 63 of the Constitution does not apply because no voting took place in Parliament that day.
“Furthermore, Ratu Epenisa’s congratulatory message to Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu being elected Leader of Opposition waived his right to object to the election, so any call now for fresh elections is void.”
Ms Tabuya says the party has no business in the process of Parliament.
“The party president and the general secretary should only go through the party’s internal processes to address this issue.”
