Just a day after the leader of the proposed FijiFirst, Voreqe Bainimarama highlighted that another 18 prominent chiefs have signed up with the proposed party after the lodgement of its application, the leader of the Social Democratic and Liberal Party said it is un-Fijian to publicly state the support of the chiefs.
SODELPA Leader, Ro Teimumu Kepa who has been leading her team to villages in the West and other areas has raised the question why Bainimarama is now highlighting the support of the chiefs.
Ro Teimumu said Bainimarama has changed the lease rental payment system which has now affected the chiefs.
She also raised the issue about Bainimarama making comments about the Great Council of Chiefs about eight years ago.
When questioned by Fijivillage on what is un-Fijian about highlighting the names of the chiefs who support the proposed FijiFirst, Ro Teimumu Kepa told us that people who know the traditional protocols will not state the names of the chiefs publicly.
Most of the chiefs who have signed up with the proposed FijiFirst have told us that they support the proposed party.
The Tui Navitilevu Ratu Meli Bolobolo said he has signed up for the proposed party because he likes what the current government is doing in terms of developments.
He is especially grateful for the free education scheme as it is benefitting the people of Ra.
He also said the people of Ra have been given the freedom to choose who they want to vote for in the general election and he is not forcing anyone.
Fijivillage also spoke to the Taukei Naua, Ratu Ponijiese Lou and the Acting Tui Tavua Ratu Salesi Baleimacuata.
Both say that they maintain their stand and give their full support to the leadership of the proposed party.
In a statement released yesterday, Voreqe Bainimarama said apart from the more than 40,000 signatures put forward for the registration application, there are many Fijians who continue to send in their names from all parts of Fiji.
Bainimarama said amongst these Fijians are some prominent chiefs whose names could not be included because the application with the Supervisor of Elections had already been lodged.
These chiefs include the Tui Vuda, Ratu Eparama Tavaiqia, the Tui Nawaka, Ratu Asaeli Naevo, Tui Sabeto Ratu Tevita Mataitoga, Tui Nadi Ratu Sailosi Dawai, the Acting Tui Tavua Ratu Salesi Baleimacuata, the Tui Navitilevu Ratu Meli Bolobolo, Tui Naviti Ratu Kitione Vuluma, Tui Vusu Ratu Siriako Matabogi, the Acting Ka Levu Ratu Kini Vosailagi, Tui Davutukia Ratu Emosi Buruavatu, the Taukei Naua Ratu Ponijese Lou, Tui Nasikawa Ratu Timoci Koilolo, the Tui Lawa Ratu Sevanaia Lalabalavu and Tui Vitogo Ratu Viliame Sovasova.
Bainimarama said he is looking forward to the registration of the party because it will give him an opportunity to tell all Fijians what the proposed FijiFirst can offer as a government. He says it will also give him an opportunity to dispel the many untruths, misinformation and fear mongering the politics of the old that is currently being carried out by the existing four political parties.
Bainimarama said the proposed FijiFirst intends to campaign with honesty, sincerity, love and affection and without any pretentions.
Story by: Vijay Narayan and Watisoni Butabua
