Newly-elected SODELPA President Ratu Epenisa Cakobau has his eyes set on unifying the party.

He made the comment when asked if he was planning to contest the 2022 general elections.

Ratu Epenisa was elected unopposed during the party’s special general meeting at the Novotel Convention Centre in Lami yesterday.

Representatives from the 28 constituencies and several SODELPA Members of Parliament were present during the meeting.

Ratu Epenisa said he was always ready to serve the people.

Roko Tui Dreketi and party Member of Parliament, Ro Teimumu Kepa, said she would not contest the 2022 General Elections.

She said she wanted to provide the opportunity for the youths to represent the people in Parliament.

Meanwhile, general secretary Emele Duituturaga said the party was in for a fresh start leaving all its differences behind.

Ms Duituturaga said SODELPA was ready to govern Fiji.

Other members, who were elected unopposed, were:

• President Ratu Epenisa Cakobau;
• Vice President 1 Ro Teimumu Kepa; and
• Vice President 2 Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu.

Vice President 3 George Shiu Raj, however, was elected ahead of Ratu Jone Lesuma.

These new office bearers will serve a term of two years in office.

Party general secretary Emele Duituturaga said there was a 21 days notice that had not included the election of the party’s office bearers, however there were motions tabled from the floor to hold its elections yesterday.

“At the beginning we had to address who would preside over the meeting, and our constitution was very clear that it was supposed to be a president or vice president and because we had casual vacancies in those positions there was a decision to hold the elections today so that is what the General Assembly preceded to do,” she said.

“The outcome of the elections today has obviously united the party.

“The mood of the General Assembly and the acceptance of the appointments makes my life a lot easier. Our preparation for the 2022 general elections has begun today.”

Caretaker party leader Sitiveni Rabuka said they had abided by all constitutional requirements during the meeting.

“We tried to apply the vanua approach, while that was a good approach we had to be careful that we work with the constitution of the party,” he said.

He said the meeting had also resolved that the November annual general meeting would confirm the name of the new party leader.

“The process was approved today, the advertisement will close on August 12.”

Edited by Ivamere Nataro

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