Revealed - SODELPA's list of shortlisted candidates

Hot on the heels of a fiery speech by the new SODELPA leader, Ro Teimumu Kepa, Coup 4.5 is today able to release the names of potential candidates for the September elections.

SODELPA had earlier this year put out an advertisement calling for people to apply. We are told close to 200 applications were received and from there came a shortlist of 69 candidates.

Under the current arrangement, Fiji’s new parliament will have just 50 seats so the party will have to cull 19. 

Key points to note: Tui Cakau Rt Naiqama Lalabalavu’s name is on the list, just five Indians have applied, Mick Beddoes, whose GVP party is now defunct, is an applicant as is youth leader, Pita Waqavonovono.

George Shiu Raj (Former MP)
Nanise Nagusuca (Former MP)
Emosi Toga (Former NLTB Employee)
Iosefo Nainima 
Isimeli Bainimara (Former Diplomat, Sacked in 2007 in Clean-Up campaign)
Pio Tabaiwalu (Sodelpa GS)
Losena Salabula (Former MP)
Mick Beddoes 
Frederick Work
Joseva Ceinaturaga
Ratu Save Komaisavai (Lawyer)
Ro Teimumu Kepa
Tomasi Vakatora (Former ATH CEO)
Mere Samisoni
Mikaele Leawere 
Ratu Tuakitau Cokanauto
Gavidi Nawaqeasaga
Sitiveni Rabuka
Marika Lewaqai
Peniana Ralulu
Orisi Seriutanoa
Niko Nawaikula (Lawyer)
Mitieli Bulanauca
Lotawa Bigivitu
Savenaca Narube (Former RBF Governor)
Simione Rasova
Emasi Qovu
Anare Jale 
Ratu Yavala R
Malakai Tuiloa
Tupeni Baba
Rt Inoke Bokini (Tavua Chief)
Rt Vili Qomate
Paula Nakabea
Rt Sela Nanovo
Filimoni Vosarogo (Lawyer)
Jo Dulakiverata
Colonel Saimoni Vatu (Left RFMF before 2006 coup)
Rt Peni Volavola (Former Suva mayor)
Rt Isoa Tikoca (Re-called PNG High Commissioner)
Setoki Galuvakadua
Jolame Uludole
Parayame Cakacaka (Retired Teacher)
Sushil Sudhakar
Deo Narain
Susheel Dutt
Pita Waqavonovono
Ratu Jone Bouwalu
Byron Kwan
Are Wakowako
Pateresio Nonu
Murray Isimeli
Geraldine Varea
Monifa Fiu
Albert Miller (Sports Administrator)
Waisele Serevi
Joe Rodan (Carlton Brewary Executive)
Maciu Bolaitamana (Travel Agent)
Viliame Seruvakula
Fay Volatabu
Laisa Taga
Vani Catanasiga
Epeli Lagiloa (Rugby Coach)
Tevita Koroi (Former FTA President)
Kelemedi Naidiri 
Kiniviliame Kiliraki
Peceli Rinakama
Tukana Bavoro (Sacked FBD MD)
Netani Rika

Teimumu Kepa speech unnerves Bainimarama

 As expected the Social Democratic Liberal Party has chosen Rewa chief, Ro Teimumu Kepa, as its leader. The former SDL MP unveiled in her speech on being selected what she and the party stand for - a speech that prompted a claim of 'fear mongering' by coup leader Frank Bainimarama. We note Bainimarama's lengthy diatribe was covered by the Fiji Sun, which ignored Teimumu's speech. We also note with some mirth that Bainimarama's reply could only have been penned by the Qorvis team. Teimumu is a learned and articulate woman and can write her own speeches and media statements. The same cannot be said for Bainimarama who could not have mustered such a sentence as this: "She demonstrably avoids talking about the need to deliver basic services to ordinary Fijians". Now that is demonstrable ongoing-propaganda at taxpayers expense.

I send my greetings to the people of Fiji and to the many

"I AM READY:" Ro Teimumumu Kepa.

supporters of SODELPA here and throughout the country. The people of Rewa Province send the delegates their best wishes and want you to know that they are with us. Let me express on behalf of SODELPA, a message of goodwill to our colleagues from the Fiji Labour Party and the National Federation Party. We have often been on opposite sides. 

But I am pleased to tell you that the crisis in our country has brought us together through the political movement, the United Front for a Democratic Fiji. The United Front is based on a shared determination to defeat the forces of those who stole the last elected government. The values and principles that bind the United Front are those of democracy, truth, rights, the rule of law and accountability to the people.

We will go to the elections as individual parties with our own manifestos, but co-operating where possible, especially in getting a high turnout of voters. My friends, there comes a moment in the life of a nation when its people are called to make great decisions to protect and save their homeland. That moment has arrived for Fiji. We are called now to save our country. We must rededicate Fiji to God, and, with His support, take its destiny into our hands. 

We should look at this as our sacred duty. I did not at first actively seek the positions of leader and president of the Social Democratic Liberal Party as I was very much involved with my traditional obligations to my province and people. But I heard deep in my heart the cry of our islands. I listened; I prayed long and hard and the answers came. And, now, here I am. I am ready.

I am so very honoured to be elected unanimously to lead SODELPA and sincerely thank other candidates who withdrew in my favour. I announce today that I have offered myself for selection as a general election candidate. I give myself to this party and I give myself to the people. My courage will not falter as we move along the hazardous path back to freedom, legitimate constitutional rule and representative democracy. 

I will be there for you, to speak out for a Fiji free of fear and oppression; a Fiji of respect and compassion, social justice, the rule of law and economic progress that creates the jobs we desperately need. Those who took over the state and its government by force of arms are still seen as a threat. They will be reluctant to give up their power. 

We must show them that we have power as well. It is the sovereign power of the people; this is the highest authority and it will prevail. All of us, walking side by side, will put right the wrongs of the last seven years. We must go forward to a glorious future of limitless potential, abundant opportunity and enduring prosperity. United in this mighty mission, we can finally become all we can be and take our place again with pride among the democratic family of nations. On Wednesday we witnessed the resignation from the Republic of Fiji Military Forces of Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama. We welcome that. 

We look forward to taking him on in a free and fair election and subjecting him to a resounding defeat. His successor, Brigadier-General MoseseTikoitoga, has pledged that the military will be independent, above politics, and respect the will of the people. We will hold him to that. I invite Brigadier-General TIkoitoga to immediately make a solemn declaration that under his command there will be no more beatings, no more threats and no more unwelcome trips to the barracks. He needs to do this in light of continuing public fears and concerns. We should remind ourselves that despite the change at the RFMF, Fiji is still a dictatorship. 

Decisions are made by the few, there is no consultation with political parties, information is withheld, and oppressive, anti-democratic laws remain in place. Military officers occupy many crucial positions in government. We urge Commodore Bainimarama in his role as interim prime minister to do the right thing by the country and the people. He should move now to address these problems and create the right environment for the elections. 

On this day I declare to you before the nation that SODELPA will always recognize the supreme presence and power of Almighty God. He is the source of divine blessing not only for us as individuals and members of communities, but also for Fiji as a nation. The elected leaders in Parliament who promulgated the constitutions of 1970 and 1997 all recognized this fundamental and eternal truth. And they made sure this was acknowledged in the preamble to these constitutions. 

Contrast this wisdom of our nation’s former leaders, all democratically elected by the people, to the arrogance of Commodore Bainimarama and his unelected oligarchy. They see no place for God in their 2013 Constitution. They made this decision without the permission of the people and then declared that it had our approval. How dare they? By what right did they say we had agreed? The Bainimarama-Sayed-Khaiyum constitution tells us that we have religious liberty and that we can practice our faiths privately and publicly. But, ladies and gentlemen, we are seeing serious contradictions in this hastily assembled document. 

SODELPA youth wing to deliver manifesto by end of month

Campaigning by the newly-launched youth wing of the Social Democratic Liberal Party has moved up a gear with a direct pitch to young voters.

The newly-formed wing has distributed a survey aimed at gauging how many youth have enrolled for the September elections and how they're likely to vote.

The Youth Vote Survey asks youth how much 'attention' they're paying to the coming poll and whether they think the country is moving in the right direction.

The 15-question questionnaire also tries to get a handle on what economic issues concern youth, their views on education, international relations and the national debt.

It also asks them to rate the performance of the interim government.

The newly-elected president of SODELPA's youth wing, Pita Waqavonovono, released the survey yesterday saying it will help with their preparations for a Youth Manifesto.

Be it Tikoitoga or Kean, it's still a military dictatorship

So the nod has gone to Mosese Tikoitoga, but was it a bouquet to the loyal right hand or the international community?

Coup leader Frank Bainimarama has named Tikoitoga the new commander of the RFMF but it's as much a playing to the gallery as other tilts he's taken on things.

Bainimarama ushered in Tikoitoga as his successor yesterday and not his brother-in-law Francis Kean as inner sources signalled as a show of 'transparency' to the likes of Australia and New Zealand and international funders.

The annointing reflects the warped thinking everything is safely in place to allow him to legitimately morph from coup leader to elected leader in September.

Khaiyum's accountant aunt to appear in court on old driving charge

HAND ON THE MONEY: Ali to defend driving charge.

The woman in cahoots with the regime over how much money the illegal government is being paid is due to appear in court this week to face a careless driving charge.

Nur Bano Ali was charged with the offence in 2011 but has avoided fronting until now.

The accountant aunt of the illegal attorney general, Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum, is scheduled to appear in the Suva Magistrates Court and pundits are already picking Fiji's failed legal system will go lightly on her.

Ali, Khaiyum and self-appointed prime minister, Frank Bainimarama, continue to refuse to open the books to show taxpayers how much they are paying themselves, despite saying last year they'd do it. 

The promise was made under mounting pressure for the regime to be transparent as it solicited international support for its September poll.

SURPRISE, SURPRISE: Bainimarama leading the 'polls'.

But five months out from the elections, Bainimarama has yet to declare his assets, reveal the name and the candidates for his party, or step down as commander in chief of the RFMF, though we note there is now talk of the handover happening this Wednesday.

Predictably the Fiji Sun already has the coup leader taking 79 per cent of the vote in what it says is the first of its opinion polls leading up to the election.

The same poll (conducted by CJP Pacific/Razor), not surprisingly shows zero support for Ro Teimumu Kepa, Mick Beddoes, SODEPLA and NFP but has voters giving a nod or two to the Fiji Labour Party and the Peoples Democratic Party.

Just as predictable has been the reply of the chairman of the Electoral Commission, Chenn Bunn Young, to political parties about the call for electronic copies of the National Voters Register to be made available.

Hiding behind 'legislation' Young has hold the parties: "I can't take it further..... If the political parties think I have a magic wand, I'm not in a position to do that."

The United Coalition for Fiji says the response is tantamount to declaring the Commission will operate as another department under the 'control of the Attorney General.'

The NFP says Young needs to revisit his stance saying the Commission is an independent body and must not rely on the Solicitor General's office for advice.

Sources have meanwhile revealed there have been two casualties over the 'stolen laptop,' despite Young's reassurances staff hadn't been dismissed: the IT manager who took the laptop home, Rejieli Losione, and the HR manager have both been sent on leave.

Coup leader rains on his own parade

SAVED BY THE FLOODS? Official handover now delayed.

They're blaming it on the rain but if the skies hadn't opened up, might there have been something else?


Chances are, yes: because Frank Bainimarama has a track record for changing his mind.

The 2006 coup leader was supposed to officially step down as the commander of the RFMF, today, February 28.

CAUSING A STIR: A good Kean man?

He was also supposed to name his successor and that successor was to have been at the helm tomorrow, March 1.

The 'grand farewell' the RFMF has, however, been boasting about in recent weeks has been delayed: the regime has cited the storm for its decision and has not indicated when the changeover will now take place.

Laptop found but fallout continues

Growing pressure on the chairman of the Electoral Commission to ensure neutrality after attempts by the illegal attorney general to have an employee sacked when a laptop was stolen from her home.

Too close? Khaiyum and Bunn Young.

The laptop, which C4.5 has been told has been recovered, contained the names and details of voters for the regime's September elections.

It's understood a 17 year old was being questioned yesterday afternoon for trying to sell the laptop to a taxi driver.

It's also understood IT manager, Rejieli Lesione, took the laptop home with the permission of the Permanent Secretary for Justice, Mohammed Saneem.

Electronic copies of voting register kept from political parties

The regime has confirmed the theft of a laptop from an election official saying it contained the names and details of voters, revealing it has withheld crucial information from the political parties.

C4.5 revealed yesterday the laptop was stolen from an election official's home but kept quiet.

Raman Singh: Parties being fed 'scraps.'

Illegal attorney general Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum was forced to tell media the laptop went missing ten days ago. He blamed the official, Rejieli Lesione, for taking it without authority and failing to report the theft quickly.

He also tried to suggest political parties had a hand in it saying: "We are very concerned there may be some people with political inclination or maybe even political parties who may be involved to access that information."

But as noted by the National Federation Party his explanation shows the illegal government has, despite protestations, continued to try to give Frank Bainimarama's as yet unannounced political party the edge.