Radrodro did not adhere to legal advice regarding FNU from May, I stand by my decision - PM

By Iliana Biutu

January 21, 2024, 7:20 pm Fiji Time

Updated: January 22, 2024, 12:36 pm

2 min read

Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka stresses to the public that he stands by his decision to dismiss the Minister for Education, Aseri Radrodro from the Cabinet.

Rabuka says in November last year, he requested SODELPA Leader, Viliame Gavoka to raise the Prime Minister's concern and disappointment with the SODELPA Management Board regarding the failure of Radrodro to comply with the Fiji National University Act in removing the Chairperson and three members of the FNU Council in May 2023 and Radrodroâ€™s failure to comply with legal advice from the Solicitor General for reinstatement of the Chairperson and three members of the FNU Council.

Rabuka says he urged Gavoka to urge the SODELPA Management Board to consider taking action to ensure the unlawful decisions made by Radrodro, are rescinded, as it could invite serious legal consequences for the Coalition Government.

The Prime Minister stresses that Radrodro's dismissal is effective from today and he may no longer exercise the powers and privileges of the Minister for Education while Gavoka assumes the Education portfolio as of today.

He also reminded SODELPA that they must also ensure that the working committee does not exceed its mandate in purporting to exercise powers of the management board as set out in its party constitution.

He also urges all parties involved to conduct themselves with respect for due process and the rule of law as the progress of our great nation depends on their collective commitment to the rule of law and democratic values enshrined in the constitution.

He stresses that after careful consideration of all relevant factors, he will not change his stand regarding Radrodro's dismissal.

While delivering a live address, Rabuka says regarding the dispatch of letters to Radrodro on Friday, he also wants to clarify that his public statement on the dismissal was published only after confirmation of the dispatch of letters to Radrodro, the President and the Speaker of the Parliament on Friday.

He says the Constitution guides his actions, and he remains committed to upholding its principles.

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The Prime Minister says his decision was not made lightly and was taken only after due process had been followed.

Rabuka reveals that he had written three letters to Radrodro since September 2023 and held discussions with Deputy Prime Minister and Party Leader of SODELPA Viliame Gavoka in October and then he wrote to Gavoka in early November with a follow up of two letters to Radrodro in December last year.

Rabuka further says he has been advised by Deputy Prime Minister, Manoa Kamikamica that when he was the Acting Prime Minister in May 2023, he requested the Solicitor General to provide him a copy of the legal opinion with regards to the termination of the FNU Chair and Council Members.

Rabuka said Radrodro had been advised to comply with the legal advice from the Solicitor General and he assured the Acting Prime Minister that he would address the issue accordingly. Rabuka says he does not have a direct conduit to SODELPA or its Management Board and the channel of communication is through the Deputy Prime Minister and the SODELPA Party and Parliamentary Leader, Viliame Gavoka.

He also acknowledged the public's understanding and trust that they will navigate these challenges in the best interests of the people of Fiji.

Meanwhile, Rabuka had made it clear on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan in October last year that he will remove Radrodro from cabinet if he continues to refuse to follow his directives.