New Twist To Minister For Education Sacking

The four in the heart of sacked Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro's dismissal on Friday, are still members of the Fiji National University (FNU) Council.

One of the four confirmed last night that they were reinstated last September and had attended three council meetings so far.

Fiji Sun last night obtained documents that added a new twist to the sacking of Mr Radrodro by the Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka.

Documents received confirmed the reinstatement of members:

•  Dr Kesaia Seniloli,
•  Dr Priscilla Puamau,
•  Ravindra Robin Nair
•  and Peter Zinck.

Ravindra Robin Nair.

Chain of events 

Mr Rabuka explained that he had: 

Written three letters to Mr Radrodro since September, 2023, and held discussions with Deputy Prime Minister Gavoka in October.

Wrote to DPM Gavoka early last November with a follow-up two letters to Mr Radrodro in December.

In addition, Mr Rabuka was advised by DPM Manoa Kamikamica, while he was Acting Prime Minister last May, requested the Solicitor-General to provide him a copy of the legal opinion with regards to the termination of FNU Chair and Council Members.

Mr Kamikamica called Mr Radrodro and advised him to comply with the legal advice from the Solicitor-General. Mr Radrodro assured him that he would address the issue accordingly.

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In November, 2023, Mr Rabuka requested DPM Gavoka to raise his concern and disappointment with the SODELPA Management Board regarding: 

(i) the failure of Mr Radrodro to comply with the FNU Act in removing the chairperson and three members of the FNU Council in May 2023; and

(ii) Mr Radrodro’s failure to comply with legal advice from the Solicitor-General for reinstatement of the chairperson and three members of the FNU Council.

In that letter, Mr Rabuka had requested DPM Gavoka to urge the SODELPA Management Board to consider taking action to ensure the unlawful decisions outlined above are rescinded, as it could invite serious legal consequences for the Coalition Government.

On Tuesday, 15 January, 2024, Mr Rabuka wrote to DPM Gavoka reiterating his disappointment at the insubordination, disobedience and lack of response from Mr Radrodro, and informed him that he would dismiss Mr Radrodro from Cabinet and appoint him as Education Minister in addition to his current portfolio.

The letter was transmitted by email on 16 January, 2024 since he is on official travel overseas. Dispatch of letters to Mr Radrodro on Friday 19 January, 2024.

Mr Rabuka said regarding the Coalition Agreement, the three party leaders of the People’s Coalition had met continuously over the past year.

On 30 October, 2023, the three leaders discussed the insubordination and disobedience of Mr Radrodro to Mr Rabuka’s directive and agreed that DPM Gavoka inform the SODELPA Management Board.

Mr Rabuka followed up with a letter to DPM Gavoka on 3 November, 2023.

SODELPA 

Mr Rabuka said the decision by the SODELPA working committee on Saturday for Mr Radrodro to remain in the Ministry of Education until January was in defiance of the powers conferred on the Prime Minister under section 95(3)(a) of the Constitution.

Section 95(3)(a) of the Constitution states: “Each Minister continues in office unless he or she is removed by the Prime Minister. 

“I respect the party’s commitment to its MPs and adherence to the SODELPA Constitution. However, Political Party by-laws are made under the Political Parties Act,” Mr Rabuka said.

“The Act requires that parties and their officials must comply with Fiji’s Constitution, the supreme law. SODELPA officials must also ensure that the working committee does not exceed its mandate in purporting to exercise powers of the management board as set out in its constitution.”

SODELPA general secretary Viliame Takayawa said while respecting the prerogative to instruct Cabinet to carry out Mr Rabuka’s directives, Mr Radodro was bound firstly by law.

“Mr Radrodro does not hold the sole authority of making such an appointment as the appointee of the FNU Council chair in accordance with the FNU Act. The Minister for Education will make the appointment in consultation with the FNU Council,” Mr Takayawa said.

“In the 13 months, the coalition has been in Government, the Coalition Committee meeting has convened only twice. We want to make the coalition work, but they are treating us like children.”

Coalition Agreement 

According to the coalition agreement, two senior members and the general secretary (GS) of each party from The People’s Alliance, National Federation Party and SODELPA are to meet once every month and more frequently if required.

In the coalition agreement, under Coalition Committee:

8. “The Parties will form a coalition committee, whose purpose is to foster and strengthen this coalition both inside and outside Government and to deal at an early stage with disputes and differences which have arisen or which they anticipate may arise. The coalition committee will comprise:

a. the leaders of each Party (or in the absence of a leader a duly appointed nominee of the Party) and

b. two senior members of each Party, to be appointed by the respective Parties.

9. The Coalition committee will meet monthly in any event, and more frequently if required to;

Ensure that all Parties are aware of and kept informed of all relevant Government business, including the Government legislative programme and any important matters requiring collective input.

FNU Council members 

A quick check on the FNU website, under FNU Council membership, the four were not in the list of council members.

The only members listed are:

• Semesa Karavaki (Chancellor and Chair of Council),
• Dr Alisi Talatoka Vudiniabola (Deputy Chair of Council) and appointed members are;
• Dr Enasio Morris,
• Pravinesh Singh,
• Ofa Swann,
• Muniappa Gounder,
• Tevita Madigibuli,
• Selina Vatuvoka,
• Veniana Naqasima,
• Navin Raj Shayam and
• Dr William May.

Feedback: wati.talebula@fijisun.com.fj

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