SODELPA general secretary Lenaitasi Duru last night questioned Ratu Naiqama  Lalabalavu’s loyalty to the party.

Mr Duru raised the question after the Opposition leader went to The People’s Alliance party head office at Knolly Street in Suva and met officials there yesterday.

Attempts to try to get Ratu Naiqama to comment were blocked when he came out of the office. His  visit to the Peoples’ Alliance office has raised the question whether his allegiance is still with  SODELPA or not.

It is not clear what transpired in that meeting, but it is understood that there was discussion about moving to the People’ s Alliance after the writ of election is issued, Ratu Naiqama is expected to take many supporters with him.

Mr Duru said they were not sure if Ratu Naiqama was checking his other options for the 2022 General Election.

“Ratu Naiqama has to come out and declare his interest instead of keeping the people guessing. The people of Fiji need to know whether his allegiance is with us or he has shifted,” Mr Duru said.

“SODELPA is comfortable with how we are going whether he stays or leaves that is for him to decide but it will not affect how we plan to tackle this coming election.

“He has done a lot for the party and we appreciate all the work the leader of opposition Tui Cakau Ratu Naiqama has done for SODELPA but if he is considering moving across we wish him all the best.”

Tabuya: Traditional visit

The People’s Alliance Party Deputy Leader Lynda Tabuya said it was a traditional visit.

“I had kindly requested Turaga na Tui Cakau in his traditional role to be able to move around Taveuni because we are going next week to have a volleyball tournament there and the vanua had requested we present a sevusevu first to the Tui Cakau,” Ms Tabuya said.

“We were supposed to go to his residence but he confirmed that it was easier for him to come here and for us to present the sevusevu as People’s Alliance.

“The tournament will be held next week Saturday. The requirement for the tournament is that every player must have a voter ID card so we are supporting the work of the Fijian Elections Office which is very important.

“While in Taveuni there will be meetings organised as we have had requests from the communities but the priority for our visit is the volleyball tournament.”

Ms Tabuya claimed that she had no idea whether Ratu Naiqama was interested in joining People’s Alliance.

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