Minister Sakiasi Ditoka has hit back at SODELPA general secretary Levi Vere, claiming the party rejected a proposal that could have eventually seen one of its senior members become President of Fiji.
In a social media post, Mr Ditoka disputed Mr Vere’s allegations that the People’s Alliance Party (PAP) had failed to honour an agreement concerning the Presidency during negotiations to form the Coalition Government in 2022.
“Maybe SODELPA General Secretary Levi Vere needs to get his facts straight before accusing the People’s Alliance Party of breaking promises over the Presidency of Fiji,” Mr Ditoka said.
Mr Ditoka, who was PAP’s general secretary during the coalition negotiations, said he had firsthand knowledge of the discussions.
“I was the General Secretary of the People’s Alliance when negotiations began on the formation of the Coalition Government in 2022. I was there, and I know what was discussed.”
He said PAP had proposed that a senior SODELPA member be appointed Fiji’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, with the intention of eventually assuming the Presidency when the position became available.
“That proposal was categorically rejected by SODELPA!”
Mr Ditoka said SODELPA had instead chosen to pursue its own preferred candidates, which was its right.
However, he maintained that the diplomatic appointment and the proposed pathway to the Presidency were part of a single offer.
“When they rejected one part of the offer, they rejected the whole proposal. That was our position, and the matter was settled there and then.”
He questioned why Mr Vere was now accusing PAP of breaking a promise that, according to him, SODELPA had rejected.
“Now, nearly four years later, Mr Vere accuses us of breaking a promise that his own party rejected!”
Mr Ditoka also pointed out that the Presidency had subsequently changed hands under circumstances that were not anticipated during the original coalition negotiations.
He said the current presidential term had not yet been completed.
The minister’s comments follow Mr Vere’s accusation that PAP had failed to deliver on key coalition commitments, including an alleged agreement concerning the Presidency.
Mr Vere had claimed the Presidency was among the promises made to secure SODELPA’s support in forming the Coalition Government.
Mr Ditoka also indicated that the proposed constitutional reforms were an important issue in the ongoing political disagreement between the two parties.
