The Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) leadership will not change.

This was confirmed by party leader, Viliame Gavoka.

He is confident in handling the party leadership roles and mentioned this during the Annual General Meeting at Sila Village, Nadroga on Saturday.

He said it was music to his ears that the Marama Roko Tui Dreketi and paramount chief of the Burebasaga confederacy is running for the polls.

Her being part of the journey brings strength to the party going forward.

“I’m pleased to see that, she has that aura in the party,” he said.

“I was the luckiest party leader because I had the Turaga Vunivalu (Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu), Tui Kaba (Ratu Epenisa Cakobau), and Marama (Ro Teimumu Kepa) what else would you want when you have three paramount chiefs with you.”

Mr Gavoka said that Ro Teimumu would be one of the provisional candidates as well but has to follow the correct pathway.

“The process will be put in place and it will happen.”

It has come out in the general assembly and it has been welcomed across the board,” he said.

“Everyone is pleased and confident that her pulling power is going to benefit the party.

That does not mean the leadership will change.

There is a definite pathway to leadership.

We are a process-driven party and that has been established.”

Ro Teimumu Kepa has broken her silence and will contest the general election, but has yet to apply.

“I think for any party to go forward into the elections, it is all about putting the best people into the best positions,” Mr Gavoka said.

He knows that every party wants to put its best people forward.

The chiefs want her to stand again but as per what the party constitutes; the process must be followed.

“Every other candidate has done that.”

I haven’t done that yet, because I got the motion on Thursday.

So that will be forwarded to the party headquarters, to the selection committee, and they will carry it out,” Ro Teimumu mentioned.

The party will sign an MOU with Unity Fiji Party next month.

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