DEPUTY Prime Minister and SODELPA parliamentary leader Viliame Gavoka has condemned his party’s decision to oppose the draft Constitutional Amendment Bill, warning that the move could inflict irreparable damage on the party.
Mr Gavoka’s strong reaction follows a Special General Meeting (SGM) that called on him, Education Minister and party leader Aseri Radrodro, and iTaukei Affairs Minister Ifereimi Vasu to vote against the proposed legislation.
This newspaper contacted Mr Gavoka who is away overseas on official business, after the legitimacy of the meeting was questioned by members of the SODELPA Nadroga branch, who claim they were not informed of the gathering and raised concerns that it was unconstitutional.
Mr Gavoka also questioned the process through which the SGM was convened, suggesting its validity could be challenged.
“The SGM can only be called by the management board and by the general secretary, but in this case, it was summoned by the working committee through the president,” he said.
“Some of us had questioned that pathway which could render the SGM as invalid.”
He said his position on the proposed amendments remained clear, particularly given his involvement in the Parliamentary Special Committee conducting nationwide consultations on the Bill.
Mr Gavoka pointed out that SODELPA had made submissions in Ba, Tavua, Rakiraki and Wailotua, and he had encouraged the party to contribute to the review process.
He said constitutional reform was part of SODELPA’s 2022 election manifesto and was also included in the coalition agreement with The People’s Alliance and the National Federation Party.
“I made known to them that the contribution from the party would help in crafting the final Bill.
“But I was devastated when I learned that the SGM had voted to reject the third reading.”
Mr Gavoka argued that the party had rejected legislation that was still being developed, rather than allowing the process to reach its conclusion.
He said the decision risked undermining both the party’s position and its contribution to the constitutional review.
“To me, someone is acting in bad faith and causing irreparable damage to the party.
“I would urge the hierarchy (president, party leader, general secretary and members of the working committee) to reconsider Sodelpa’s position on the Amendment Bill 32.
“The party needs to recover from this disaster.”
According to the SODELPA Constitution, Section 12.11 state an SGM may be held from time to time as summoned by the management board and the quorum for the meeting should be 100 financial members.
Questions sent to Mr Radrodro over the concerns raised by Nadroga branch members and Mr Gavoka remained unanswered when this edition went to press.
