Aseri Radrodro Photo: RNZ Pacific/Kelvin Anthony
Fiji has been thrown yet another curve ball in the world of politics.
Newly elected SODELPA leader, Aseri Radrodro has been reinstated as the Minister for Education just three months after Fiji's leader Sitiveni Rabuka sacked him.
Radrodro was dismissed from his ministerial role by the Prime Minister for insubordination and disobedience to his directive.
Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka Photo: Facebook.com/Office of the Prime Minister, Republic of Fiji
He is the minister at the centre of an alleged 'drug and sex scandal' alongside Minister for Women Lynda Tabuya.
It was only in January that Fiji's Prime Minister delivered a statement on the "dismissal" of Radrodro from cabinet.
Adjunct Professor of Governance from the University of the South Pacific, Vijay Naidu spoke with Pacific Waves host Susana Suisuiki
Rabuka has justified the u-turn, claiming he only gave Radrodro a three-month stand-down, which concluded on the 22nd of April.
However, there is no record of Rabuka saying this.
Adjunct Professor of Governance from the University of the South Pacific, Vijay Naidu said that's something that has flabbergasted people because that wasn't stated at that time.
"It has just come out of the blue..so I think the public is a bit confused about this three-month suspension."
Radrodro is expected to lead SODELPA to the 2026 General Elections.
People took to social media to express their views with some admitting to being shocked and surprised.
On the platform X formerly known as Twitter, one person criticised the move saying "I guess the pressure of SODELPA not supporting the upcoming budget in June which would have led to a vote of no- no-confidence, is just too much for you to bear. Your coalition government is a classic case of the tail wagging the dog."
While another, backed Rabuka's move with a quote on forgiveness by Mahatma Gandhi.
Naidu said pressure from SODELPA, the kingmaker party in Fiji's coalition government led to Rabuka reinstating the education minister.
Adjunct Professor of Governance from the University of the South Pacific, Vijay Naidu Photo: RNZI/ Sara Vui-Talitu
He said while the prime minister stood firm in his initial decision to sack Radrodro, it did not sit well with his coalition partners.
"The management board of sodelpa had given prime minister an ultimatum to reinstate Radrodro as Minister for Education, ask Viliame Gavoka to step down or else, you know."
Clearly there were some backroom negotiations and further discussion according to Naidu.
RNZ Pacific has contacted Fiji's prime minister, Sitiveni Rabuka, and the newly reinstated Minister of Education Aseri Radrodro for comment.