Samisoni ‘Nominated’ As SODELPA MP, Rabuka Says Ro Dona Issue Resolved

Businesswoman and SODELPA member Mere Samisoni last night declined to comment on an unconfirmed report that she has been nominated as a new Member of Parliament.

It is understood that a special management board meeting endorsed her nomination.

She is to replace the late Ratu Sela Nanovo who died last month. It is understood that she was nominated after Ratu Jone Kubuabloa declined nomination. She is next in line on the party list.

Mrs Samisoni, an active SODELPA member, was a candidate in the 2014 General Election.

In the 2006 elections she won the Lami Open Constituency for the then Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua Party (SDL) under Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase.

She was unsuccessful in her previous campaigns in 1999 and 2001 for the Soqosoqo ni Vakavulewa ni Taukei party (SVT).

In the 2014 General Election Ms Samisoni scored 1855 votes. Ratu Jone polled 2054 votes.

No comments could be obtained from Ratu Jone, but a formal announcement is expected soon.

Party general secretary Adi Litia Qionibaravi said she had not been officially informed on the issue.

Meanwhile, SODELPA leader Sitiveni Rabuka said the party had resolved matters involving Ro Dona Takalaiyale

However, Ro Dona said he had yet to receive a letter of notification from Mr Rabuka that the matter had been resolved.

This follows the SODELPA row where Rabuka questioned the status of Ro Dona’s membership as the SODELPA vice president.

Mr Rabuka wanted confirmation on the $2 membership of Ro Dona, who was elected as vice-president on December 9th.

Ro Dona had, however received a letter of reply from the party president Tui Cakau Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu who questioned his membership.

This was when Ro Dona wrote a letter calling for a special general meeting questioning the Memorandum of Understanding between SODELPA and the People’s Democratic Party.

In a statement on Wednesday, Mr Rabuka said that Ro Dona Takalaiyale’s membership issue was resolved.

It however, further stated that Mr Rabuka reiterated that Ro Dona was not an authorised party spokesperson, given he had not been authorised by the party president as the VP to comment on public relations matters for SODELPA.

“With regard to the call for a Special General Assembly (SGA), only the Party Management Board has the authority to call an SGA,” the party leader said.

“Furthermore, the party constitution stipulates the process and procedures to be followed for any grievance(s) from party members.”

In regard to commenting on public relations matters for the party, Ro Dona said, “I think I can comment if they confirm me as vice-president because I have to see the letter first then I can comment, otherwise I am still not the vice-president as they have said.”

Edited by Percy Kean

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