Speculations of who will take over the reigns from Sitiveni Rabuka as party leader of SODELPA has now been clarified.

FBC News has been told that Party President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu is also the new Deputy Party Leader and will replace Rabuka if convicted with his current court case.

Ratu Naiqama had earlier indicated that he will not stand for this year’s General Election, however, a last minute change of heart was due to a request from the Party leader.

“I had to ask him if he would be available, he said I’d rather not but let the selection process take its course and that was done, i asked him to make himself available, he did and he was selected by the interview panel”

With Rabuka’s court case hanging in a balance, SODELPA has been forced to change their constitution to allow for the appointment of Ratu Naiqama.

“We have to change the party constitution to allow us to do that because there is no provision for a deputy party in the former constitutional provision of the party.”

According to Rabuka, the party constitution currently states the appointment of a deputy party leader should be done by the management board, however, this was too late as Election Day is drawing near.

Attempts to get Ratu Naiqama for a comment have been futile.

Meanwhile, the party is expected to file nominations for their proposed candidates at the Fijian Elections Office tomorrow .