SODELPA has some serious problems, says Deputy Prime Minister Viliame Gavoka.
Speaking to the media about his ongoing stand-off with members of the SODELPA management board which called for him to step down as Minister for Education, Mr Gavoka said he had responded to the management board.
“I delivered my reply yesterday (Tuesday) and basically highlighted the fact that it is the Prime Minister (Sitiveni Rabuka)’s prerogative and I cannot be held responsible or accountable for something that I cannot do (to stand down),” said Mr Gavoka.
“I am in no position to do what they ask me to do and that is basically what it is.
“The Prime Minister has that prerogative and that is the end of it.”
He said he could not just go against Mr Rabuka’s decision.
“To prevail upon me to try to go out and tell the Prime Minister to take a certain cause of action.
“That is not the way to do things. We respect that and that is basically what I communicated to them. I cannot do what I am not in a position to do.”
When asked if he had received another letter from the management board yesterday, he said”I have not received that letter”.
“It will be very surprising, and it will be totally unusual to take that course.
“The whole thing is, you know there is a sense of desperation that is going to be very damaging to the party.
“I am not aware of that letter. That is quite a bit of process that goes with that.
“This is funny that it comes from the media first before it comes through me. Look, there are some very serious problems with the party, and we will be addressing those problems.”
Meanwhile, SODELPA general secretary Viliame Takayawa said they had received Mr Gavoka’s response to their first letter.
“Hon Gavoka has responded to the management board directive and his response will be tabled to the management board meeting that should be convened after the SODELPA AGM,” he said in a statement.
