General Secretary Sila Balawa has publicly dispelled notions of a power struggle within the People’s Alliance Party, emphasizing that ambition among its members is vital for political progress. Addressing recent claims of internal divisions, Balawa described such perceptions as exaggerated and reassured that the party maintains unity.
Balawa articulated, “Power struggle depends on your perception. Without ambition, there will be no movement or progress. It’s just how those ambitions are expressed that can sometimes cause misunderstanding, but our party leader welcomes ambition in members of parliament and party politicians.” He emphasized that healthy ambition is a natural component of leadership development, essential for nurturing future leaders within the party.
Refuting rumors that a new party leader was to be nominated during the recent Annual General Meeting, Balawa stated, “That never came up. There was no mention of it before, during, or after the AGM. I’m hearing it now for the first time.” This aligns with Balawa’s expectation that leadership decisions, including any potential succession, ultimately fall under the purview of the Prime Minister and Party Leader Sitiveni Rabuka.
When speculation arose regarding Ro Filipe Tuisawau potentially taking on the role of party leader, Balawa clarified that both Tuisawau and Manoa Kamikamica serve as deputy leaders, and leadership transitions will rely on the Prime Minister’s judgment. He concluded that the party remains focused on its governmental responsibilities, confident in its current leadership structure while dismissing ongoing conjecture as mere political speculation.
The People’s Alliance Party is thus in a hopeful phase, focusing on harnessing the ambitions and talents of its members as it prepares for future electoral challenges. As Balawa emphasized, this engagement with ambition reflects a commitment to fostering a robust leadership pipeline, which may ultimately enhance the party’s effectiveness and connection with the electorate.