Social Democratic Liberal Party provisional candidate Jovilisi Suveinakama is entering politics because he wants to restore the Fijian people’s belief in democracy.
“Leave aside the political party landscape and what each party has achieved during their term in office and what they can achieve in the future,” he said.
“We need to restore our peoples’ belief in democracy as the system of government in Fiji.
“Once that is determined then we have a framework with some certainty.”
Mr Suveinakama said without a vote for democracy, “the system of governance becomes ad hoc”. ”
Systems and processes will be built to maintain a ruling ideology that is territorial.
“They may get things done, but they will rob the inalienable right and freedom of its citizens. In the long run, we fail as an institution with its belief systems.
“A truly democratic system will ensure the true separation of powers rather than the self-serving interests of one over the other. ”
Democracy maintains the freedom of its people as supreme. Where the rights of the majority are sharpened by opposing ideologies.
“Democracy allows our people to have a dream and belief that it can be a reality — a government not robbing our people’s opportunity to get things done just to keep them in power.
“Democracy is having everyone equal to share the opportunities and challenges — to be excited about your views as an individual knowing that we will walk together no matter what until another people’s government is democratically elected.
“SODELPA is that government that will restore Fiji as a truly democratic nation.”
Mr Suveinakama formerly worked as a lawyer at the Howard’s Law Firm.
He worked in Tokelau for four years before returning to Fiji to set up a consultancy called Black Water.
He now practises with Toganivalu Legal in Suva. He has seven children.