Messages of support from here and abroad have flooded the chiefly house of Valelevu in Lomanikoro Village, Rewa, in the wake of  Ro Teimumu Kepa’s decision to stand in the General Election.

The Gone Marama Bale na Roko Tui Dreketi (Paramount chief of Burebasaga) and Opposition leader has put her retirement plans on hold  after heeding the call of the vanua and her people. Her matanivanua (traditional herald), Ro Dona Takalaiyale said many happy SODELPA members expressed their  appreciation and support for Ro Teimumu.

“Many have sent in messages and telephoned to share their  feelings. They said that they were happy with the news they read and heard today (yesterday),” Ro Dona said.

“They were happy about her decision to stand.”

The Fiji Sun broke the news in a front page article yesterday.

Ro Dona said he met with Ro Teimumu yesterday and she expressed how she could not say ‘No’ to the request made by Tui Suva, Ro Metuisela Mudunavosa,  on behalf of the Turaga i Taukei.

“She said they are always very supportive of her, so it was difficult for her to turn them down,” Ro Dona said.

Ro Dona, who is also one of three vice-presidents of SODELPA, told Ro Teimumu that it was God’s timing’ for her.

While applications to contest the election  under the SODELPA banner have now closed, Ro Dona said both the Opposition leader and SODELPA president  Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu “are given special privileges under the party constitution.”

While he did not elaborate, it is understood that the requirements could be waived to accommodate Ro Teimumu’s late nomination.

SODELPA leader Sitiveni Rabuka when contacted yesterday said he had yet to receive anything ‘official’ from Ro Teimumu about her intention to stand.

The party’s general secretary, Adi Litia Qionibaravi, said  last night  she was going to respond to questions sent to her. But the response did not arrive when this edition went to press..

Edited by Naisa Koroi