Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) general secretary Lenaitasi Duru has called on the Opposition whip, Ro Filipe Tuisawau, to focus on his flailing political career.

Mr Duru’s comment comes after Ro Filipe questioned why the term of office of the SODELPA president and three vice presidents’ expired without replacement on July 25, 2022.

Ro Filipe said the two-year terms of the two office holders, former president Ratu Epenisa Cakobau and former vice president Ro Teimumu Kepa, expired on July 25, 2022, since they were elected at the party’s special general meeting held at Novotel, Suva, Lami Bay Resort.

“Mr Duru failed to convene a meeting of the management board to appoint casual replacements for the vacant president or vice-president posts,” he said.

“He also failed to convene a special general meeting for the election of new office bearers.”

This is a failure to implement the resolution of the party’s meeting in June.

“This is a serious failure of the general secretary role to implement the annual general meeting resolution and to ensure executive positions are filled,” he said.

In response, Mr Duru said Ro Filipe should stop clutching at straws like a drowning man.

“The party could not elect a new president when it hosted its annual general meeting in Sigatoka earlier this year,” Mr Duru said.

“But, board members have agreed to make the appointment next month. Ratu Epenisa has shown interest in contesting the position again.”

During its AGM on September 9, the party will appoint a president and three vice-presidents. A position of the vice-president was left vacant after theOpposition leader, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, resigned from the party last year, citing disappointment with the state of the party at the time.

George Shiu Raj abandoned the party for the National Federation Party (NFP), where he was named a provisional candidates earlier this month. Ro Teimumu Kepa and Ratu Epenisa’s terms have not been renewed.

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