Fijian politician Lynda Tabuya says people can say as much about their decision to change parties in forming the People’s Alliance (PA) but insists it cannot be avoided if like-minded individuals are united in love for their country.
In joining the People’s Alliance early this year, Ms. Tabuya relinquished her SODELPA MP seat as well as the role of Opposition Whip following the 2018 election during which she not only garnered the fifth-highest overall votes but was also the highest-polling woman out of the 56 female candidates who contested that year. Before linking with SODELPA in 2017, Ms. Tabuya was president of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) which also contested the 2014 polls but was not successful in its bid for seats in parliament.
Speaking at a packed PA rally in Lami, Ms. Tabuya who is also one of the party’s three deputy leaders said: “A tent doesn’t make a home, people united in love do. Right now, it is the love of our country that beckons us to stand by our patriotic duty to serve.”
She said the party’s proposed 55 candidates including her “have put their hands up to help heal our nation.”
“You all have the skills and experience to become the new government of Fiji, which is something to cheer about,” Ms. Tabuya said. “Only by letting love shine can we accomplish this monumental task. Let love shine through the darkness of fear and intimidation.
“Let love shine through corruption and nepotism. Let love shine through the epidemic of violence against women and children.”
She said a People’s Alliance Government will let love shine and lead the nation to unity, peace, prosperity, and happiness, urging voters to make it happen when the country begins pre-poll on 5 December in the lead-up to election day proper on 14 December.
