Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has urged the nine Opposition members of Parliament who have declared their support for him to continue representing the people who voted for them. Rabuka emphasized the importance of MPs representing their constituents rather than the party.
The deregistered FijiFirst political party secured 200,246 votes in the last election, while the nine MPs received a total of 7,544 votes in 2022, according to Opposition member Mosese Bulitavu.
Bulitavu explained that the decision to support Rabuka was influenced by some independent members of Parliament who encouraged collaboration with the Government. He noted that the group’s status regarding joining another political party remains unclear and would require judicial interpretation of the rules, as this matter is not specified in the 2013 Constitution.
Declaring themselves as a third block in Parliament, Bulitavu stated they had communicated with the Speaker about their support for the Prime Minister and their role in Parliament. Bulitavu mentioned that while they are currently independent supporters of Rabuka, the rules on joining a political party are still uncertain and may need clarification from the courts.
On Sunday, July 7, Bulitavu, along with Aliki Bia, Ratu Josaia Niudamu, Penioni Ravunawa, Ioane Naivalurua, Naisa Tuinaceva, Alipate Tuicolo, Taito Rokomatu, and Viliame Naupoto, visited the Prime Minister and verbally declared their support for him.