Opposition Leader Inia Seruiratu has questioned the internal party dynamics of The People’s Alliance that led to Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s nomination of Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu for President.
In response to queries posed by this newspaper, Mr Seruiratu asked whether this decision was a result of “vanua politics”.
“The controversies leading to the announcement of PM’s nominee is a clear indication of the political manoeuvring orchestrated by various groupings within the PA, the majority party within the Coalition Government,” he said.
“It has also revealed who is in control in PA. Initially, and unopposed in the PA executive committee was the Tui Nadi as the party nominee, but this was not approved by the party leader who preferred the current President to serve for another term.”
Mr Seruiratu said on the day of the Parliament sitting, issues were raised to the PM concerning his nominee.
He said this led to the withdrawal of the agenda item from the day’s Order Paper.
“Few days later, PM made another statement that those issues had been cleared and Ratu Wiliame Katonivere will remain as his nominee.
“Only in the end that was again changed because of maybe more issues unknown to us, but only them. Are there issues against Ratu Wiliame or plain ‘vanua politics’ at play?
“PM has indicated that their latest nominee is made by the parliamentary Caucus of PA.
“Where does that leave the initial nomination of the executive committee for the Turaga Tui Nadi for President?”
