The SODELPA annual general meeting on Saturday, June 30, at Namoli Village, Lautoka, was a vibrant show of people exercising their freedom of expression and free speech.

This was the view of SODELPA member Sainiana Radrodro, which she expressed to the Fiji Sun yesterday when clarifying reports that she was the subject of an expulsion motion at the AGM. At the AGM party president Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu informed the meeting that there was a motion to expel Mrs Radrodro, the wife of Member of Parliament Aseri Radrodro.

Mrs Radrodro said the motion against her had to do with her posts on social media, specifically Facebook, but she was not clear which one was being
referred to.

“Nevertheless I accept and will always embrace and respect democratic and healthy political discourse,” she said.

“I must thank SODELPA management for allowing the open and fair discussions that can only take us forward to a better place.”

On her Facebook page yesterday, Mrs Radrodro alleged in a post that the motion was from the United States-based SODELPA Tailevu and Tovata branches and was signed by Ratu Isireli Vesikula, USA SODELPA Tailevu president and President of Tovata confederacy.

“I was emotional, yes, given my own belief in the party and in freedom of fair political discourse,” she said.

“But I accept it as collateral damage in the line of active political participation.

“Had it passed to vote, I would embrace the outcome. It’s democracy and is part of my convictions for freedom of expression,” her post stated.

Meanwhile, Ratu Isireli emailed the Fiji Sun from the USA yesterday, and denied being behind the motion in Saturday’s SODELPA AGM to have Mrs Radrodro expelled from the party.

“I want to put the Fiji Sun on notice that I never put in a motion in yesterday’s SODELPA AGM to have Mrs Sainiana Radrodro expelled from the SODELPA Party as reported in the Fiji Sun this morning, July 1, 2018,” he said.

The Fiji Sun sought additional comments from Mrs Radrodro, but she had not responded by the time this edition went to press last night.

Edited by Epineri Vula

Feedback: selita.bolanavanua@fijisun.com.fj