Seremaia Tuiteci is back in the Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) fold. The news of Mr Tuiteci’s reinstatement was confirmed by party general secretary Lenaitasi Duru yesterday.

Mr Tuiteci was terminated from the party on May 21 this year following party allegations of breaching the code of conduct for politicians and political parties.

SODELPA had claimed that Mr Tuiteci had spoiled the image of the party with his constant attack on party members and supporters through video posted on social media.

Mr Tuiteci is known for openly expressing his opinions on certain issues of which he is vocal about on social media. He was named in the first batch of SODELPA provisional candidates in April this year before he was terminated a month later.

Mr Duru said Mr Tuiteci’s reinstatement was endorsed through a majority vote in the party’s management board meeting held at the party headquarters on Friday August 5.

He confirmed that 28 members of the management board had attended the meeting last Friday where the president of the Ba West/ Yasawa constituency Ratu Joe Vatu had pushed for Mr Tuiteci’s reinstatement.

“Mr Tuiteci has been reinstated as a provisional candidate under some conditions,” Mr Duru said.

“If he complies with the strict conditions then he will be confirmed as a candidate as they are only provisional for now.”

Mr Duru said he has the support of the vanua, in particular his constituency of Ba West.

“I wouldn’t be able to disclose the conditions that we had discussed for him, the party leader is handling that.”

“He was terminated after concerns were raised with party members on his outbursts on social media, party members had also raised concerns that some of the things he said in the video podcasts he was making were painting a bad picture of the party.”

“There was a submission from the Ba West constituency that the board looked at on Friday and his reinstatement was voted for by a majority.”

Mr Duru added that an official note from the party on his reinstatement will be issued later this week.

“There is nothing personal for me and him even though we have had exchanges in the past, I am ready to work with anyone as long as we have a united front,” he said.

Tuiteci responds Mr Tuiteci said he was happy when informed of the news that he has been reinstated in the party.

“I was informed by the Party Leader informally on Monday that the Management board had agreed to reinstate me.”

“The issue of my termination was a minor misunderstanding, that’s how I look at it. It was a misunderstanding between me and some of the provisional candidates with regards to my video podcast but I am really thankful to the management boards and to GS Mr Duru that I have been reinstated.”

He said he was all for protecting the rights of indigenous people.

“I thank Ratu Joe Vatu, president of Ba West/Yasawa constituency and Tui Yasawa Ratu Jone Cakautavatava for supporting my reinstatement in the party.”

“I’ve spent more than 35 years in the civil service, I served in the most important ministries. I had served in the PM’s office, President’s office, I was a Territorial Army officer since 1981 and I think all those are important.”

“The party leader when we met last Friday he urged me to continue to press on with the land issues which I will continue to do.”

“I thank party President Ratu Epenisa Cakobau, Vice Presidents Ratu Isikeli Komaisavai and Ro Teimumu Kepa.”

“I thank them for their wisdom, my message to the party was to unite and show a united front.”

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