Sainiana Radrodro Turns Down Opposition's Offer For Speaker To Parliament Role

Sainiana Radrodro yesterday confirm turning down an offer by the Leader of Opposition Inia Seruiratu as their nominee for Speaker to Parliament.

Ms Radrodro, a former civil servant, journalist and now a lawyer, revealed that Mr Seruiratu had approached her last week with the proposal.

She said while the offer came as a surprise, she was clear in her response.

"The Leader of the Opposition called me last week and asked if I would consider being their nominee for Speaker," Ms Radrodro said.

"I was quite stunned. I asked him, ‘Why me?’”

Ms Radrodro acknowledged that the Opposition’s consideration may have stemmed from her extensive experience in government and her legal background.

“I respect their consideration, and I guess they were basing it on my years of service in government and experience as a lawyer,” she said.

However, despite the consideration, Ms Radrodro made it clear that she could not accept the offer.

“I’m the wife of a sitting Member of Parliament, the Minister for Education. To preside over Parliament while my husband’s ministry is involved, would in my view, be improper. Any hint of bias, whether perceived or actual, is still bias,” she said.

Ms Radrodro expressed concerns over the broader implications of such a decision on the trust the public places on Government.

“The people of this country have already been through a lot, and they need to be able to trust their leaders. We must work to regain that trust, and anything that could undermine that would not be good for any of us in the long run.”

She said as a member of SODELPA, her position on the matter was shaped by the importance of presenting a united front.

“My husband is the party leader and we are part of the Coalition Government. It’s crucial for SODELPA to show stability, especially to the people, stakeholders, and investors.

“Any suggestion that might disrupt that unity is not appropriate.”

Ms Radrodro made it clear that even if the Coalition Government voted for her, she would still decline.

“We cannot be seen as showing favouritism or nepotism. The people need to trust that their leaders are acting in the best interest of the country,” she said.

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