Rabuka's Threat An Overreaction Says Takayawa

Speaking exclusively to Duavata News, SODELPA General Secretary Viliame Takayawa has described Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s threat to remove SODELPA from the coalition as an overreaction to what was merely a personal Facebook post.

His comments follow an interview Rabuka gave to Fijilive, where the Prime Minister signaled that the coalition agreement was under review, citing frustrations with SODELPA’s conduct—including Takayawa’s post and recent appointments made by Education Minister Aseri Radrodro.

“It’s quite unfortunate that a post I made after hours on my personal page—based on what I heard from my relatives in Tonga—is now being used against me,” Takayawa told Duavata News. “I would have thought that my personal opinion is protected and within my rights under the Constitution.”

He made it clear that the post was not an official statement from SODELPA. “For the party, I will wait to convene a meeting,” he added.

Takayawa said he only shared his thoughts publicly because he believed the Prime Minister had ushered in a new era of openness. “The Prime Minister had assured us that the FijiFirst-style dictatorship was over. I genuinely believed that this government was sincere and that we could speak our minds,” he said.

“Of course, if that wasn’t the case—if that sincerity wasn’t real—then I take back my comments and apologise for expressing what was only ever meant as a personal opinion.”