This Is Why I Left SODELPA, Says Abel

Kingdom Unite All People’s Party (KUAPP) Election Campaign Lead Abel Camillo says the latest political drama caused by SODELPA General Secretary Levi Vere is exactly why he resigned from the party on three separate occasions.

Camillo, who now goes by what he describes as his traditional name, Gagaj Uafta Tuilakepa III, criticised Vere for accusing the People’s Alliance Party of failing to honour a coalition commitment concerning the Presidency, describing the allegations as misleading and damaging to the Coalition Government.

He questioned why Vere had revived the presidential dispute when the Gone Marama Bale na Roko Tui Dreketi, Ro Teimumu Kepa, had already publicly addressed the issue in February 2024.

Camillo pointed out that Ro Teimumu had expressed disappointment with former SODELPA General Secretary Viliame Takayawa for discussing her possible nomination as President without consulting her.

He said Ro Teimumu had made it clear that she was not seeking the Presidency and had reaffirmed her support for the then President, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere, while Takayawa subsequently indicated that the proposal would not be pursued.

Camillo questioned whether Takayawa had properly briefed his successor, Levi Vere, about these developments before the latest accusations were made.

He said he was saddened by the renewed controversy involving Ro Teimumu and accused SODELPA’s Secretariat of repeatedly creating unnecessary political tensions.

Camillo also pointed to Takayawa’s previous controversy involving allegations about a government delegation to Tonga, which he said had seriously strained relations within the Coalition Government.

He accused SODELPA of poor leadership, weak internal accountability and administrative mismanagement, including raising questions about the approval of executive salaries.

Camillo called on the party’s Management Board to intervene and restore discipline before further damage was done to the coalition.

The former SODELPA official said his final resignation came while serving as General Secretary for Ba West following disagreements involving MP Ifereimi Vasu and the party President at the time, Buliratu.

Camillo said the latest controversy showed that the leadership problems which drove him out of SODELPA remained unresolved.

He also declared that it was time to clean up the political mess, describing the current Government as a failure.

Camillo said Fiji needed leadership that could restore public confidence and put the interests of the people ahead of political disputes.