A candidate in the SODELPA party leader position, Pio Tabaiwalu has passed away.

This was confirmed by the SODELPA headquarters. He passed away early this morning.

Mr. Tabaiwalu was SODELPA General Secretary in the lead up to the 2014 General Elections.

He turned 60 earlier this month.

Mr Tabaiwalu was instrumental in the establishment of the SODELPA party.

He was requested by the Board which included the late Prime Minster Laisenia Qarase, the late Ratu Jone Kubuabola, the late Anasa Vocea and Sakiusa Raivoce to craft the party political ideology.

In an earlier interview, Mr Tabaiwalu said the party’s ideology was also his personal vision as it embraced many of the positive aspects of Fiji’s traditional hierarchical system and the advent of the basic rights and freedoms of individuals.

Mr Tabaiwalu has had over 20 years of experience in trade, economic and investment issues both regionally and internationally.

He was passionate about empowering people about financial literacy.