Turaga na Tui Nalawa Ratu Epeli Niudamu said people should not be judged because of who they wanted to vote for. It is their constitutional right.

“Who people choose to vote for is their own choice and own right and should not be judged for that, because it is up to them whose name they want to tick during the upcoming national general election,” Ratu Epeli said.

He was responding to comments made on social media by Niko Nawaikula labelling him and fellow Ra high chief, Turaga na Tui Nasau Ratu Isikeli Nakaisau and other prominent figures in the Ra Province as traitors.

SODELPA MP Mr Nawaikula was referring to a Fiji Sun front page report (FS03/08) titled Chiefs Lead Ra Support for PM.

Ratu Epeli said: “We will support any Fijian Government, whether it is the current FijiFirst Government or another government we will support them, for the sake of national unity, because they are chosen for a reason.

“As for this Government we support them because of the development they had carried out in our province, developments that has benefitted our people.

“The current Government answered the prayers and cries of our people here in Ra, they promised us this development and they delivered, for that we are thankful.”

Ratu Epeli said they supported the FijiFirst Government for their development.

“The support is there and we are grateful for the development, but who I will vote for is my own choice and own decision, the same can be said for the people of Ra, they will choose whoever they want to vote for.”

The Tui Nalawa also showed disgust at how Mr Nawaikula referred to them as ‘fools and liumuri’ by Mr Nawaikul. However, he chose not to comment.

“That’s his point of view, I guess that is how it is now in Fjii. People can call each other names and other degrading comments does not matter whether they are chiefs or not.

“But that is his choice. People do that nowadays. But I will not stoop low to his level and reply to whatever it is he said by calling us fools.”

Mr Nawaikula aired his frustration at Ratu Niudamu and his fellow chiefs, saying that they betrayed the people of Ra and other fellow chiefs of Ra, who are in prison after being convicted of sedition.

Edited by Ranoba Baoa

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