Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has provided reason of the removal of SODELPA Member of Parliament Aseri Radrodro.

In a video statement, Rabuka says, Radrodro terminated the appointment of the Chairperson and three (3) members of the Fiji National University (FNU) Council in May 2023.

Thereafter, he was advised by the Solicitor General’s Office that the decision was unlawful and must be withdrawn. 

He says, the members of the FNU Council can only be terminated in limited circumstances and with a two-thirds majority vote of the Council and only after the members have been provided an opportunity to be heard. 

“The Solicitor General also met with Hon. Radrodro to urge him to comply with the legal advice given. However, despite my very clear written directive and discussions with Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Manoa Kamikamica, Honourable Radrodro failed to comply with my directive”, Rabuka said.

“I took the decision to dismiss Radrodro from Cabinet with effect from Monday 22 January 2024 for insubordination and disobedience to my directive”, he added.

Rabuka says, the decision was not made lightly and was taken only after due process had been followed.

“I had written three letters to Radrodro since September 2023 and held discussions with Hon. Viliame Gavoka, Deputy Prime Minister and Party Leader of SODELPA in October. I then wrote to Hon. Gavoka in early November with a follow up letter to Radrodro in December”, he said.

“In addition, I have been advised by Hon. Kamikamica that whilst he was Acting Prime Minister in May 2023, he requested the Solicitor General to provide him a copy of the legal opinion with regards to the termination of the FNU Chair and Council Members”, he added.

In November 2023, Rabuka requested SODELPA Party Leader Viliame Gavoka to raise concern and disappointment with the SODELPA Management Board regarding:

(i) the failure of Radrodro to comply with the Fiji National University (FNU) Act in removing the Chairperson and three members of the FNU Council in May 2023; 

(ii) Radrodro’s failure to comply with legal advice from the Solicitor General for reinstatement of the Chairperson and three members of the FNU Council;

(iii) Radrodro’s failure to comply with my directive for compliance with the FNU Act and reinstatement of the four members of FNU Council to the status quo prior to their dismissal. 

In that letter, Rabuka requested Gavoka to urge the SODELPA Management Board to consider taking action to ensure the unlawful decisions outlined above, are rescinded, as it could invite serious legal consequences for the Coalition Government.

“Again, on Tuesday 15/1/24, I wrote to Gavoka reiterating my disappointment at the insubordination, disobedience and lack of response from Hon. Radrodro. I informed him that I would dismiss Hon. Radrodro from Cabinet and appoint him as Education Minister in addition to his current portfolio. The letter was transmitted by email on 16/1/24 since he is on official travel overseas”, Rabuka said.