A letter has been delivered today by the Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) to the Speaker of Parliament, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, advising Ratu Epeli that Mosese Bulitavu’s seat in Parliament is deemed vacant.
In a statement issued today, SODELPA General Secretary Lenaitasi Duru said: “We have today delivered a letter to the Speaker of Parliament, evoking Section 63 (1)(h) and Section 63 (3) of the 2013 Constitution, advising the Hon Speaker that Hon Mosese Bulitavu’s seat in Parliament be deemed vacant.”
Mr Duru said this was consequential to Mr Bulitavu’s blatant disregard for a Party directive to its Members of Parliament in relation to the Party stand on Bill 17 and the 2021/2022 Appropriation Bill.
“The SODELPA Parliamentary Leader and Leader of Opposition, in his opening speech, had given the official Party stand, which is aligned to the collective agreement of members of the Party Caucus, following workshops conducted the week prior to the Budget debate,” Mr Duru said.
He said Mr Bulitavu’s public address against the Party directive and subsequent public utterances was indicative of one-upmanship.
“SODELPA is a team. United in vision. United in purpose,” Mr Duru said.
“The SODELPA Executive and Board will not tolerate any willful act that will bring disrepute to the party leadership and tarnishes the Party’s public image,” he added.
“The Secretariat, through the Management Board, is also following up on the Party’s Constitutional provisions to seek his expulsion from the Party.”
Mr Duru said Mr Bulitavu had been officially informed there had been a complaint lodged against him and that the Management Board through a majority endorsement had approved the institution of the investigation process against him.
“He has also been duly informed that the investigation/disciplinary team will be communicating with him.
“His queries sent to the media will be addressed by the disciplinary team.”
Mr Duru said Mr Bulitavu and all SODELPA MPs needed to understand that they were voted into Parliament via a majority i-Taukei voters.
He said it was, therefore, pertinent that their conduct reflected the wishes of the majority members of the Party.
“There is no place for individualism especially when the issues tabled in Parliament are of the greatest importance to our supporters.”
