Opposition MP Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu

It shouldn’t have come this far.

Those are the words of Opposition MP Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu while debating the Privilege motion in Parliament.

He says the whole situation could have been avoided if there was an earnest attempt at reconciliation.

“We now have a Prime Minister about to come before us, to come and apologize. It shouldn’t have come this far. We could have resolved it there and then if only we had listened to your (Speaker) attempt Sir. If only we had made genuine efforts to respect the Office of the Prime Minister and respect the individual members here cause everyone is equal here”.

Following the incidents of the 9th August sitting of Parliament, Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama visited the Speaker of the House.

He apologized to the Speaker for the incident and offered to apologize to Pio Tikoduadua as well.

Ratu Epeli then asked Tikoduadua to attend a meeting with the Speaker and the Prime Minister so that Bainimarama could offer an apology the NFP President and put an end to the matter.

However, Tikoduadua was unavailable for the meeting.