Opposition Leader Inia Seruiratu has raised concerns about the internal dynamics of The People’s Alliance following Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s nomination of Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu for the presidency. In response to inquiries from the press, Mr. Seruiratu questioned whether the decision stemmed from “vanua politics.”
He stated that the controversies surrounding the announcement of the Prime Minister’s nominee reflect political maneuvering among various factions within The People’s Alliance, the dominant party in the Coalition Government. “It has also shown who holds power within PA. Initially, the Tui Nadi was the unopposed nominee in the PA executive committee, but this was not approved by the party leader, who preferred the current President to serve another term,” he noted.
On the day Parliament convened, Mr. Seruiratu mentioned that issues were brought to the Prime Minister’s attention regarding his nominee, which ultimately led to the withdrawal of that agenda item from the day’s Order Paper.
“Days later, the Prime Minister announced that those issues had been resolved, and Ratu Wiliame Katonivere would remain his nominee,” he said. “However, this was later changed again, potentially due to undisclosed issues known only to those involved. Are there reservations about Ratu Wiliame, or is it simply ‘vanua politics’ at play?”
The Prime Minister suggested that the latest nominee was decided by the parliamentary Caucus of The People’s Alliance. Mr. Seruiratu questioned what that meant for the initial nomination of the executive committee for the Turaga Tui Nadi presidency.
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