Viliame Gavoka

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Viliame Gavoka

MP
Bill Gavoka 2018.jpg
Bill Gavoka at the SODELPA convention in September 2018
Leader of SODELPA
Assumed office
28 November 2020
Preceded bySitiveni Rabuka
Personal details
Born (1950-07-08) 8 July 1950 (age 71)
Political partySODELPA
RelationsAiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum (son-in-law)
Alma materUniversity of the South Pacific

Viliame Rogoibulu Gavoka (born 8 July 1950) is a member of the Parliament of Fiji. He has been serving as the leader of the Social Democratic Liberal Party since 28 November 2020 after ousting Sitiveni Rabuka in the SODELPA leadership contest.

Career[]

Gavoka studied at Ratu Kadavulevu School when he was younger. He studied at the University of the South Pacific for his tertiary education. He was the Chairman of the Fiji Visitors Bureau but was removed from the post in 2009. In May 2009, he was appointed the chairman of the Fiji Rugby Union.[1] In June 2010, he made media headlines when he "prophesied" a natural disaster would hit Fiji on June 23 at 2.30 pm. He was charged for spreading rumours.[2] His involvement in the 1 million dollar lottery scandal at FRU eventually led to him being sacked for the 2nd time as a chairman after Fiji's Commerce Commission found that the lottery had been improperly run. He joined the Fiji Holding Limited board as a director soon after.

In July 2014, he resigned from the board to join SODELPA in the 2014 general elections.[3] He was elected an MP with 3,690 votes.[4] He was re-elected at the 2018 election,[5] winning 3536 votes.

On 28 November 2020 Gavoka replaced Sitiveni Rabuka as SODELPA leader.[6]

2020 SODELPA leadership contest[]

Gavoka won the leadership contest on 27 November and was formally recognized as SODELPA leader on the 28 November during the party's AGM meeting. Prominent lawyer Filimoni Vosarogo was chosen as the new Deputy Leader. 21 members of the SODELPA Management Board voted for Gavoka while 20 members voted for Rabuka. The party's caucus was said to be evenly divided over whether the leadership change was the correct course of action.[7]

Personal life[]

Gavoka's daughter, Ela married Fiji's attorney general, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, a wedding which he did not attend.[8]

References[]

  1. ^ Raj, Amit (1 May 2009). "Gavoka in control". Fiji Times. Retrieved 21 May 2015.
  2. ^ Field, Michael (23 June 2010). "Fiji quake prophesiers seized". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 21 May 2015.
  3. ^ "Gavoka resigns as FHL director". Fijilive. 25 June 2014. Retrieved 21 May 2015.
  4. ^ "2014 Election Results". Fiji Elections Office. Archived from the original on 2014-09-21. Retrieved 2014-09-25.
  5. ^ Talebula Kate (18 November 2018). "2018 General Election: SODELPA secures 21 seats". Fiji Times. Retrieved 18 November 2018.
  6. ^ "Fiji's main opposition party chooses a new leader". RNZ. 27 November 2020. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  7. ^ Narayan, Vijay (27 November 2020). "Gavoka will be next SODELPA Leader Vosarogo is Deputy Leader". Fiji Village. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
  8. ^ Nasiko, Repeka (19 March 2011). "AG ties the knot with Adi Ela". Fijilive. Retrieved 21 May 2015.


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