Opposition Leader, Ro Teimumu Kepa has now come out with a statement saying that any attempts by SODELPA parliamentarian, Mosese Bulitavu to create a wedge between her and SODELPA President, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu will not succeed.
Ro Teimumu says Ratu Naiqama has pledged his support for her leadership and she has pledged her support for his.
She says two grievances are currently lodged with the Management Board of the party.
One is from Bulitavu and the members who co‑signed his complaint.
The other is from the Opposition’s Principal Administrative Officer, Mick Beddoes.
Ro Teimumu says the Management Board is now obliged to follow disciplinary procedures as laid down in the Party Constitution.
She says she will not comment on the specifics involved in order to allow the process to take its course.
Ro Teimumu further says that Bulitavu’s threat to resign today is a matter for him.
She says under the current electoral system, any resignation by a Member of Parliament does not result in a by‑election, the vacant seat will simply go to the candidate in SODELPA with the next highest number of votes.
Ro Teimumu says if Bulitavu resigns, the Electoral Commission will initiate the process for his seat to go to the next person in line.
She says this is Ratu Jone Kubuabola, who she says is a highly qualified former Minister of Finance.
Meanwhile, SODELPA Parliamentarian Mosese Bulitavu says the intention of the statement by Ro Teimumu Kepa is to try and force him out so that the investigation which will be undertaken by the SODELPA management board does not happen.
He says Ro Teimumu Kepa should act like a leader and allow this process to be followed.
Bulitavu adds that Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu has told him not to resign.
He claims Ratu Naiqama is neutral and has not showed his support for Ro Teimumu Kepa.
Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu has confirmed that he will call the party’s management board meeting to look into certain allegations when he returns from Australia next week.
SODELPA General Secretary, Pio Tabaiwalu says he has already communicated with Ratu Naiqama and he is now separating the allegations to be looked at by the party and the SODELPA parliamentary caucus.
Tabaiwalu says what has been stated in the report sent to the SODELPA management board are allegations and must be investigated thoroughly.
He says the party has to look at all sides to arrive at a fair resolution.
The Management Board will appoint an independent Arbiter to investigate the issues raised and report back to the Board.
Some of the matters include alleged lack of consultation on a few issues by the Opposition Leader.
Questions have been raised on why the Opposition staff positions were not advertised and the salary levels of Beddoes and others.
Questions have also been raised on the budget of the opposition office and how decisions are being made to spend the money allocated to the office.
Tabaiwalu says these are all allegations and they have to get the Independent Arbiter to separate facts from the rumours.
