Adi Litia Qionibaravi has been suspended as general secretary of the Social Democratic Liberal Party.

Former general secretary in the lead-up to the 2014 General Election, Pio Tabaiwalu, has been given the nod to replace her.

The party’s Working Committee made the decision in Suva yesterday, which will be ratified by the Management Board. This is expected to be a formality. The party has been rocked by a split over governance issues.

Mr Tabaiwalu is an old hand of the party and the committee felt he could steady the ship.

He also stood in the 2018 poll, but failed to win a seat.

The committee took into consideration the issues raised by Civil High Court judge Justice Vishwa Datt Sharma in his landmark decision.

He ruled that the annual general meeting at Yaroi Village in Savusavu in June last year was null and void.

The Working committee comprises SODELPA caretaker leader Sitiveni Rabuka, acting president Vijay Singh, Youth president Jope Koroisavou, Tevita Tabalailai, Tanya Waqanika and Bani Kanawale.

The decision was unanimous.

The committee will release a statement on its decision

The meeting was chaired by Mr Singh in Australia via Zoom.

Last night Mr Tabaiwalu said he was waiting for the official confirmation from the Working Committee.

Edited by Jonathan Bryce

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