Newly-appointed Social Democratic Liberal Party leader Viliame Gavoka says SODELPA still needs Sitiveni Rabuka to claim victory at the 2022 polls.
“He has indicated yesterday that he will stay and of course we need heavy hitters in SODELPA,” Mr Gavoka said.
“I have not had the chance to speak with him (Rabuka) but going by what he indicated yesterday, we need him on our side.
“Mr Rabuka is an icon, he is a giant in Fijian politics and he is going to be with us to put a march into victory in 2022, he will be there.”
Mr Gavoka’s appointment was announced by party president Ratu Epenisa Cakobau during SODELPA’s annual general meeting at the Novotel Suva Lami Bay Convention Centre in Lami yesterday.
Despite heated debate over the manner in which the appointment was made, Mr Gavoka said at the end of the meeting attendees agreed that the way forward for the party was through unity.
He said in 2022, SODELPA would not have any national candidates in the upcoming general elections.
“What was made very clear today is that constituencies, the 28 of them, want to fight their battles in their constituencies,” Mr Gavoka said.
“They want to control their boundaries, they want it exclusive to them and they will deliver the votes to us from their constituencies.”
Mr Gavoka said party unity had been a contentious issue of late, but the issue had been thrashed out at the AGM and he and deputy leader Filimoni Vosarogo would lead SODELPA to the 2022 polls.
