The military's Land Force Commander and senior member of the Military Council Colonel Mosese Tikoitoga said there needs to be a change in the mindset amongst the senior officials of the Methodist Church and at the same time some senior executives need to be changed.
Colonel Tikoitoga also revealed that the Methodist Church conference has been cancelled because the Church President Reverend Ame Tugaue and General Secretary Reverend Tuikilakila Waqairatu did not want to step down from their positions.
Colonel Tikoitoga said he met with church executives Reverend Waqairatu, Reverend Tevita Nawadra and Reverend Apete Toko at Queen Elizabeth Barracks last night.
He said former President Reverend Josateki Koroi was also invited to the meeting however he did not attend.
The Land Force Commander said some of the reasons why they want the two executives to step down are that the two are facing charges of breaching the Public Emergency Regulation in court and they are allegedly involved in politics.
He said they have an indication that Tugaue wanted to step down however Waqairatu refused to take that step.
Colonel Tikoitoga said their intention to meet at QEB last night was genuine.
Colonel Tikoitoga also stressed that there will be no forward movement in relation to this issue until some executives of the church change.
Meanwhile, police officers met with the executives of the Methodist Church at Epworth House in Suva earlier this morning.
We have contacted the Church Assistant Secretary Reverend Tevita Nawadra and he said they are waiting for the statement from the Prime Minister in relation to the cancellation of the conference.
Some conference delegates are still at the Centenary Church and a church service is underway.
We asked Nawadra about the presence of the delegates.
He said these people may have not received the information that the conference was cancelled late yesterday.
The executives of the church are not present in the service.
Story by: Vijay Narayan, Tokasa Rainima and Sofaia Koroitanoa
Col Tikoitoga speaks about conference cancellation
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