Heightened mudslinging on social media after the Social Democratic Liberal Party’s annual general meeting last Saturday has led to widespread speculation that the party is more divided now than ever before.
Discussion on the “entrenched” divisions that presently plague the party was triggered by claims that “questionable” processes led to the appointment of Viliame Gavoka as party leader.
Speaking to this newspaper yesterday, SODELPA parliamentarian Inosi Kuridrani maintained issues within the party had not been resolved.
He said party members were not given the opportunity during the AGM to air their grievances in relation to the appointment process.
Mr Kuridrani said there were issues with the independent interview panel and the fact that details of the voting outcome were not made public.
He said the appointment was not transparent and the issue on the appointment process was not solved.
Mr Kuridrani said he and a group of SODELPA members had written to general secretary Emele Duituturaga expressing their opposition to the appointment process.
Ms Duituturaga, however, has maintained due process was followed — as per the party’s constitution.
Newly-appointed leader Viliame Gavoka acknowledged there were questions raised about his appointment but said the issue had been resolved.
“There is a lot of goodwill in the party right now and one thing that I stressed today (Saturday) with our people, no more factions, and focus on issues,” Mr Gavoka said.
